NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk Police Department hosted its first-ever "Community Chat And Chew" on Friday night.
Department leaders say it's another way to connect with neighbors and offer resources to people who live in areas often hit by crime.
Tonight's event was held in a neighborhood where gun violence isn’t uncommon.
“As you know there was a recent homicide here of a member of the community," Sgt. Steven Bartley of the Norfolk Police Department said.
Just weeks ago, someone shot and killed 42-year-old Edward Collins. The shooting rattled the community.
“It’s personal with me out here, I just went to a funeral two weeks ago," said Clay Marquez, the executive director of the anti-gun violence group Guns Down. "A young man was murdered out here that I knew his family.”
But people in that neighborhood are taking action to fight back against crime. Marquez said this inaugural Community Chat and Chew is about maintaining a consistent presence in communities hit by crime, so people know support is there.
“We just want to come out to the community and let them know that we’re not going to leave them stranded," Marquez said. "We are here for them.”
This event is organized by the Norfolk Police Department. It’s part of the Department’s Spring Night Out Series.
The event featured a Q&A session with police, housing and victim resources, plus free food, and fun activities for children.
Chief Mark Talbot said the goal is to hear from the community and bridge the gap between law enforcement and the people who live here.
“A lot of times when we’re doing this work, we’re out with people who are having their worst possible day," Talbot said. "Creating opportunities for us to engage with them when the mood is much better and when people can have a good time and when you can build stronger relationships really makes a difference.”
Bartley said it's important for community and police leaders to come together.
"We want to speak with them and get their concerns," he said. "We really truthfully want to know what their feedback is on what their everyday life is, and what are ways for us to make them feel safe. It's important to our organization and we just want to continue to let them know that we're here for them."
The Department will host community events every other Friday until the end of May, including:
- Friday, March 22nd - Berkley Rec Center (Southside) 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, April 5th - Calvert Square - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- 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.