By Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
NORVIEW, Va. — Tired of being known as a drive-thru for drugs, a group of people on Norview’s Alexander Street is forming a neighborhood watch.
Two people were killed in unrelated homicides in the 6200 block of Alexander in April and July, prompting police to step up patrols.
Alexander Street had an active watch program 15 years ago but it fizzled, said Officer Sandy Parker of the Norfolk police Crime Prevention Unit.
She and other officers joined 16 people for a meeting last week at Tabernacle Voice of Deliverance Church, where they decided to form a neighborhood watch that will meet monthly.
Among the biggest problems, neighbors said, is people who don’t live on Alexander Street driving through to buy drugs.
Police said landlords do not run thorough background checks on tenants. Neighbors also said the street might need more lights.
Some people in the area are legitimately afraid of being seen talking to law enforcement, police said, so the department promotes the Crime Line program, through which callers can earn rewards, remain anonymous and not testify in court.
G.P. Thomas, retired from the state and U.S. Army, agreed to coordinate the neighborhood watch.
“You’ve got to live your life and not live it in fear,” he said, banging his cane on the tile floor of a church meeting room for emphasis. The group was a good start, police said.
“It always starts with one small group, and it builds,” said Sgt. Robert Fields, who supervises the Crime Prevention Unit.
The meeting was organized by the Five Points Community Partnership, a civic group with an interest in the area.
Bev Sell, the partnership coordinator, said she was encouraged.
“My first concern was, will anyone show? And if they did show, would they be willing to get involved?” she said. “And they did.”
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