PORTSMOUTH, Va. —
Police and community leaders participated in a RESET walk Tuesday evening in Portsmouth's Park View neighborhood. The event hosted by Portsmouth police and city leaders is part of the city's intervention strategy after traumatic events like shootings. The walk brings city resources face-to-face with residents.
The RESET walk comes in the wake of a homicide on Friday. Several Portsmouth city officials went door to door comforting residents and addressing any concerns they had. It’s another attempt the city is making to curb gun violence.
Chris Williams, who lives and works in Portsmouth, spent a few minutes in his community knocking on doors can make a world of difference.
“Intervention is always a key. we have to always stick with intervention," Williams said. “We have to keep digging, you know, in the area. Intervention... even if we don't come out and get across to just one community member, that's one more than we had.”
With over 30 RESET walks taking place this year, city leaders and police say these moments are a crucial step to reassure residents, that they’re supported in their time of need.
“It's important, I think, that we continue to do these RESET walks to get into the neighborhoods where these incidents have occurred and to reassure the neighbors that the city is out and about trying to tackle some of the things that underlie why we continue to have gun violence in the city," Councilman Mark Hugel said.
“It's a way of coming back out and saying, 'Hey, you know, did somebody follow up with you' 'Hey, you know, you told me there was a street light out, that's a big concern for you. Were you able to get in contact with anybody?' If not, 'Hey, can I provide you another resource?'” Officer Chanel Porter said.
The walk comes less than 24 hours after the city’s gun violence and crime prevention task force brainstormed ideas to curb violence in the city. After Tuesday's walk, Williams has one message for his neighbors.
"We are in some trying times. We have to keep digging. We have to keep pushing it. If you see something, you have to say something," Williams said.
Councilman Hugel said the RESET walks will continue as needed but hopes they’ll become less frequent as the task force work begins to roll into the city.