NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk Police Department (NPD) continued its "Chat & Chew” meet-and-greet series Friday evening, getting together with Calvert Square residents.
The Calvert Square Community Center was filled with community members, many of them eager to share thoughts and concerns with NPD officers.
The open houses are planned in neighborhoods frequently touched by violence, and an incident Friday afternoon almost stopped the event from happening.
Officers told 13News Now a shooting incident sparked debate about canceling the Chat & Chew, but they say the neighborhood showed resilience by showing up anyway.
“When [police] leave, we’re by ourselves,” said resident Regina Daye. “We have to run back and forth between houses. I just want it to get better, and we need help.”
Daye says she was sleeping Friday afternoon when gunshots rang out in the neighborhood.
“They be shooting all out here,” she added. “Come on now, when’s this going to stop? I’d hate to see a child get shot.”
Details surrounding the incident are limited, but officers at the event said they considered canceling. Ultimately, they were glad they didn’t.
“After the wake of what happened today, we said ‘no, we’re not going to cancel,’” Sgt. Ali Williams explained. “We were actually going to walk through the community if no one showed up, but instead, they actually came out tonight. We are thrilled that they still came out and shared with us what they desire from us.”
Sgt. Steven Bartley added, “This is a neighborhood that’s resilient and wants to see change, and as long as they want to see change, we want to be there for them to facilitate that change.”
Calvin Williams attended the event Friday night, representing the My 2K Foundation. One of the organization’s services provides kids safe walks home from their school bus stops. Williams says police presence is just one part in the equation of reducing violence.
“[People need to] put some skin in the game, roll up their sleeves, and take some responsibility for the problem,” he said. “It takes everybody, it takes a whole village.”
“I 150% agree,” said Sgt. Williams. He and Sgt. Bartley highlighted the department’s outreach programs as another way to reduce violence in Norfolk. More information is available on the department’s website.
The Department will host community events every other Friday until the end of May, including:
Friday, April 19th - Diggs Park (Southside) - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 3rd - Huntersville Rec Center - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 17th - Oakleaf Park (Southside) - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.