VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach's City Council is sitting down to talk about the recent spike in violence around the Oceanfront.
On Thursday Mayor Bobby Dyer called a special meeting -- ahead July 4th weekend -- to discuss ongoing violence in the resort area.
The city's spokesperson said Interim Chief of Police Tony Zucaro talked with city council about what's been taking place city-wide since May 31, and how police are addressing safety concerns.
“In the resort area, since May 31, our officers have responded to almost 1,900 calls for service,” said Zucaro said.
June brought 30 days of violence to Virginia Beach and the Oceanfront.
“In that time frame, we have arrested 181 persons,” Zucaro said.
He updated city council on the spike in shootings, as the resort area prepares for its biggest tourism holiday of the year.
He said since January, his officers responded to 36 shootings city-wide, with 15 of them occurring between May 31 and June 30. Six of the incidents were at the Oceanfront, with 11 victims total.
“I often hear there is not enough enforcement in the resort area,” Zucaro said.
While he admitted staffing is an issue, Zucaro said they have amplified Oceanfront patrols since May 31. He said they redeployed officers to the area and included specialty units.
But he said officers are facing hostility, nightly.
“In the resort area, they are being surrounded near every encounter,” Zucaro said. “They are being verbally abused.”
Zucaro said police are also taking a fair, firm, and friendly enforcement approach and taking arrests off of Atlantic Avenue.
He said increased violence won’t be solved by police alone.
“We feel very strongly that this is a community lift, the community needs to be engaged,” Zucaro said. “We cannot arrest ourselves out of this situation.”
Black Lives Matter 757 President Aubrey “JaPharii” Jones wasn’t pleased with the briefing. He feels the city isn’t listening to protesters.
“There has not been any clear plan as to the citizen review board,” Jones said. “There has not been any clear plan as to officers and the systematic racism that has been known in, within Virginia Beach Law enforcement situations. So, we feel like the message was never heard.”
Jones said Black Lives Matter 757 is planning to hold a protest at the Oceanfront on Saturday, July 4.
“The citizens need results and the citizens need results now,” Jones said. “So, the only way that they will feel the pinch is if the Oceanfront is shut down. That seems to be the only thing that is getting attention at this time.”
Despite COVID-19 concerns, the beach is expected to be packed this weekend. The Virginia Beach Hotel Association president said many Oceanfront hotels are sold out.