News from the Meeting

Residents and Neighbors heard some important and interesting updates at the well attended March 7 OPCL meeting at the Brock Center:

Councilman Joash Schulman announced that the Lynnhaven Boat Ramp would be gated at night as a temporary solution to the “public safety hazard” that has been an ongoing concern. He asked the City Manager to instruct the Parks and Rec Dept to proceed to close the gate at night. He noted that there were logistics that must be worked through including addressing the concerns of the boating community. He said he was happy to talk about any concerns and promised a “robust engagement with stakeholders” adding that “public safety is #1”. He urged people to call him directly with concerns. jschulman@vbgov.com 757-840-1291.

Officer Schonbach, VBPD Public Liaison, also provided some interesting information in his update about the LBR. In response to residents’ complaint that calling about activity at the LBR entailed a long phone interrogation, he said that callers do not need to stay on the phone. Operators are trained to get as much information as possible and will continue to ask questions as long as a caller will answer. He advised callers to say that there is a disturbance involving reckless driving (or whatever) and an officer needs to check it out and then to say “I’m sorry I can’t stay on the phone.”

Officer Schonbach also detailed the drawbacks of the newly installed cameras. Police can’t give a ticket to a car: they must be able to identify the driver. Coming soon is a Realtime Crime Center which could pull up live feed of a camera IF there is a call for service. The police do not have the manpower to monitor all the city cameras 24/7.

Officer Schonbach addressed some misconceptions about which violations are chargeable on the LBR property which is city property that is open to the public. Some violations like running a stop sign can only be charged on a city street. BUT reckless driving is absolutely enforceable.