PORTSMOUTH, Va. Portsmouth Mayor Shannon Glover delivered his State of the City address at the Renaissance Portsmouth-Norfolk Waterfront Hotel Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Glover delivered an upbeat and optimistic address, but curbing crime remains in the forefront for change in the city.<\/p>\n
The mayor highlighted ways theyre fighting gun violence and touched on other initiatives he says will make the city stronger and safer.<\/p>\n
Glover said city leaders are applying for more crime-fighting grants, adding that money alone wont fix the issues.<\/p>\n
We must reverse trend on violent crime, Glover said. There is no quick fix; it will take steadfast, unrelenting tenacity. We will implement proven strategies.<\/p>\n
Strategies currently in place include Project Safe Neighborhoods to help put criminals behind bars and calling on community leaders, faith-based and grassroots organizations to step up.<\/p>\n
Reducing violent crime is a shared responsibility, said Glover. Its all about engagement.<\/p>\n
So far, Police Chief Renado Prince said their tactics are working.<\/p>\n
I think what were doing is point-on, he said. Were showing results already, and thats based on the statistics. Im optimistic about the future of Portsmouth.<\/p>\n
Prince said the number of 911 calls for shots fired are down compared to this same time last year. This month, thereve been 25 calls versus 41 last April.<\/p>\n
A pay hike for new policemen and women is helping to bridge the gap in the department that a few weeks ago was down 80 officers.<\/p>\n
Mayor Glover also expressed hope during his State of the City address.<\/p>\n
Our goal is to bring hope and opportunities to our communities, said Glover.<\/p>\n
The mayor looked back on the citys accomplishments while highlighting the progress of the offshore wind project and Rivers Casino thats expected to create an economic boom and jobs.<\/p>\n
Dirt is flying all over the city with new development and business ventures, said Glover.<\/p>\n
Mayor Glover said his hope going forward is to continue building relationships within the community to reduce crime, attract more people and create more business opportunities.<\/p>\n
News 3 streamed the address in this story. You can watch it above. <\/p>\n
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Mayor touts progress in Portsmouth State of the City address - News 3 WTKR Norfolk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PORTSMOUTH, Va. Continue reading