2nd Precinct Citizens Advisory Committee
MEETING AGENDA
CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE (2nd Police Precinct)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Next meeting – April 9, 2025 @ 7:00PM
Location:Rescue Squad, Sta #14, Conference Room, 740 VB Blvd, 23451
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
RECOGNITION: Officer Christopher Grimm – Officer of the Quarter (3QCY24)
2nd PRECINCT REPORTS:
- Capt. Brad Wesseler, 2nd Precinct Commander – monthly review, upcoming events
CITY AGENCIES
- Community Liaison Officer (2nd Pct) – TBA 757-385-xxxx
- Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney - Mr. Paul J Powers 757-385-1263
- Crime Solvers - Ms. Ruth Ann Steenburgh 888-562-5887
- Chaplain (2nd Pct) - Mr. Tom Armbrister 757-560-3800
- Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad – Mr. Bobby Hill 757-647-2789
- Human Rights Commission, Dr. Ginger Jenkot, Mr. Mark Stevens 757-385-8374
- Animal Services Bureau – Ms. Lisa McDonnell 757-385-5000 #2
- VBPD Resort Liaison - Sergeant Nick Ball 757-385-2789
- VB Public Libraries – Mr. Matthew Lighthart, VBPL Oceanfront 757-385-2683
- Parks & Recreation – Mr. Mike Leigh, Great Neck Rec Ctr 757-385-5940
- Parks & Recreation – Mr. Eyal Gonen, Seatack Recreation Center 757-385-5925
“Ask the Experts” - Neighborhood Concerns and Issues – Open Forum
Police – Emergency: 9-1-1
Police – Non-Emergency: 757-385-5000
Suicide Prevention/Crisis Hotline: 9-8-8
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Next meeting – April 9, 2025 @ 7:00PM
Location: Rescue Squad, Sta #14, Conference Room, 740 VB Blvd, 23451
Recap of Second Precinct CAC Meeting of March 12, 2025
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee met in Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad (VBVRS) Station #14 Conference Room on November 8. Seventeen (17) people attended.
CAC President, M. C. “Connie” Agresti opened the meeting asking for a Moment of Silence in Memory of Officer Christopher Reese and Officer Cameron Girvin, who were murdered last month. Although from the Fourth Precinct, both spent time in the Second Precinct.
Following a round of introductions and a summary of scams and smishing schemes hitting the internet, telephone lines, and text messages of late (e.g., EZ Pass, Failure to Appear for Jury Duty, Durable Medical Equipment (DME). CAC VP Patty Jarm added the “new” Medicare or Social Security card telephone scam to the list.
Mr. Agresti also reiterated that criminals collect voice print data from their potential victims to employ in artificial intelligence (AI) schemes to learn and then mimic the victim’s voice to others in his/her address book. He warned attendees not to engage in conversation with the scammers, but to simply hang up.
Second Precinct Commander Captain Bradley Wesseler expressed the department’s gratitude, as well as that of all those serving therein, for the community-wide heartfelt support provided to the officers over the past few weeks. The last VBPD Line of Duty fatality was in 2008, so many of those serving had not experienced this level of loss. The Department’s website includes a header for ways for the community to continue to support the families of these fallen officers.
Capt. Wesseler read off recent WAVES (Weekly Analysis for VBPD Engagement and Strategies) Report statistics that reflect a 67% reduction in “Part One” – Violent Crime, and a 7% reduction in “Part Two” – Property Crimes, over the previous month. He mentioned that the largest up-tick was in larcenies from motor vehicles particularly on weekends. Wallets, cellphones, laptops, and firearms continue to be the most frequently pilfered items. Please lock your vehicles and keep valuables out of sight.
Capt. Wesseler also commented on the commencement of event season at the beach. This weekend’s events include the Shamrock Marathon and an NCAA Division 1 track and field meet at the Sports Complex. Parking remains a challenge, as does traffic management. Several people living in Old Beach (Patty Jarm and Mark Stevens) mentioned these difficulties over the previous weekend with cheerleading and track meets running concurrently with the VBVRS Oyster Fest.
Captain Wesseler said that the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and Resort Management Office (RMO) are working these issues along with responsible city agencies. The absence of a contract to manage overflow parking was cited as a known failure the previous weekend. A list of road closures for this Saturday and Sunday (March 15 and 16) is included with this report.
Visit Logistics for Locals – Logistics for Locals During 2025 Oceanfront… | City of Virginia Beach to learn about your options during the 2025 Event Season
Second Precinct Community Liaison Officer Kishon M. Roberts introduced himself. He is a Virginia Beach native who attended Kempsville High. He had a varied career, including as a teacher, before joining the police force three years ago. His most recent assignment was as a bicycle-mounted officer on the oceanfront. His email is KMRoberts@vbgov.com or 757-817-9825.
Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Paul Powers stated that his office will be receiving another attorney to assist with the Second Precinct workload. He also mentioned that the OCA is working diligently to assemble witnesses and technical means (e.g., camera footage) to substantiate cases written by Officers Reese and Girvin prior to their demise to ensure that these can are prosecuted, while still protecting the rights of the defendants.
Mr. Bobby Hill, VB Volunteer Rescue Squad, stated that the March 2 Oyster Fest ws highly successful. He also commented on the parking issue and mentioned that the VRS used carts to shuttle people with mobility issues from their vehicles to the venue.
He mentioned the Ride-Along program that is available for those seeking exposure to the EMS world. Someone mentioned that Ride-Along programs are available for police and fire units as well. Applications can be found online, and background checks may be required.
Mr. Hill also stated that March 24 – 28 marks the nationwide First Responder Wellness Week.
Mr. Bruce Doyle, Great Neck Point Civic League, stated that he attended a Stroke Awareness briefing jointly conducted by Great Neck Recreation Center and Old Dominion University. He asked that provisions VBVRS had for treating and transporting stroke victims due to the time-sensitivity of life-saving treatment necessitated by such events. Mr. Hill stated that suspected strokes are among the most urgent transports that they face and necessitate lights, sirens, and high-speed transport to one of two Sentara Stroke Treatment centers – VB General or Leigh.
The key word to remember for suspected strokes is FAST:
F = Face – does the victim’s face droop?
A = Arms – is one arm weaker than the other? Can the victim lift them both above their head?
S = Speech/Smile – are words slurred? Can the victim smile?
T = Time – call 9-1-1 immediately and mention suspected stroke
Ms. Ruth Anne Steenburg, VB Crime Solvers, stated that the organization needs volunteers to serve on their Board – the primary purpose of which is to visit organizations to seek donations for their organizations reward program.
She stated that in the last month, Crime Solvers received 97 tips leading to recovery of more than $305k in currency and > 20k in drugs. They paid $2,950 in rewards.
Crime Solvers annual Pig-Picking BBQ fund-raiser will be conducted at the Virginia Aviation Museum in Pungo on June 7. A flyer will be available next month.
Ms. Lisa McDonnell, CAC Treasurer, stated that the CAC General Fund is down to $519.62. The Adopt-a-Muster Fund stands at $920.34.
Ms. McDonnell stated that statistics for animal recovery and placement will be on the Animal Services Bureau website. She indicated that Animal Services is focusing on helping those who take in or feed feral cats. The cats need to be captured and spayed/neutered before being released back into the world.
She also mentioned Operation Safety Net, which is designed to help animal owners who fall upon hard times or need training in the proper care of their pets. This program can sometimes provide donated food to pets in need or find temporary foster care for them.
Ms. Jenny Perry, Adopt-a-Muster Coordinator, still has ten (10) weekend slots open for sponsors to support Adopt-a-Muster. Available weekends are May 10, 24, and 31; July 19 and 26; and August 7, 9, and 16. Please contact her at adoptamustervb@gmail.com .
Mr. Mike Leigh, Great Neck Recreation Center, spoke of his pride in participating on the procession honoring Officers Girvin and Reese.
He mentioned that Parks and Recreation is sponsoring numerous programs for youth through adult, including, Self-Defense classes (age 9 and up), Bunny Games (ages 6 – 12), Breakfast with a Bunny (April 12), Cherry Blossem Festival (March 29 – April 5, Red Wind Park (visit cherryblossenvb.com), and Earth Week (starting April 19 at Mt. Trashmore).
After the Meeting – Public Service Announcements:
- Poll workers needed for June 17 Primary
- March is Severe Weather Awareness Month – time to check/replenish your severe weather “Go-Bag”
- Re-imaging Rudee Loop Survey remains open until March 30.Make your opinions known at Rudee Park | City of Virginia Beach
The next CAC meeting will be Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the conference room at the VBVRS Station #14, 740 VB Blvd (17th St), VAB, 23451. Please park on the east side of the building.
Unabashed Plug for Patronage: The following restaurants donated food to assist officers and families following the shootings. Please consider patronizing them as a show of appreciation:
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1608 Crafthouse
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Abbey Road
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Mission BBQ
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Blue Pete’s
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Biggby Coffee
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Shorebreak Pizza
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Firebrew
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Fuddruckers
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The Butcher’s Son
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Harris Teeter - Oceanfront
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Krispy Kreme
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Quirks
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Wing Stop
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Einstein Bagels
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Ruth Chris
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Clayton’s
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Dough Boys
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Bad Ass Coffee
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Rockafeller’s Restaurant
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Ocean Eddies
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Chicho’s – 20th Street
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Chix on the Beach
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Waterman’s
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Thai Arroy
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Nando’s at Town Center
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Coastal Edge
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Imperial Dade
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Beach Bully
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The Egg Bistro
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Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
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Murphy’s
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Primo Pizza
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Westin Hotel
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Zoe’s
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The Stockpot
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Zero’s 17th Street
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Taylor DIY Center
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…and many others who facilitated donations. You may wish to visit the VB Restaurant Association website at dineinvb.com.