Virginia
Safety changes noticed 1 year after deadly shooting outside Virginia bar
NORFOLK, Va. — One yr later, a memorial for Sierra Jenkins, Devon Harris and Marquel Andrews nonetheless sits outdoors Chicho’s on Granby Avenue.
The three have been killed within the crossfire after gunshots erupted outdoors the bar on March 19, 2022. Two others have been damage.
Sierra was a journalist for The Virginian-Pilot. Her father, Maurice Jenkins mentioned she would have turned 26 final Monday, March 13.
“I’ve by no means in my life gone by something that might make you are feeling this dangerous, or damage you for this lengthy,” he mentioned.
Scripps
For the reason that mindless capturing and different high-profile crimes downtown, Norfolk metropolis leaders have made sweeping modifications to assist make downtown safer.
Transportable surveillance cameras have been placed on Granby Avenue, enforcement of code violations at bars and eating places have been ramped up, and extra police have been patrolling downtown on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
“That undoubtedly does make us really feel safer simply realizing that if somebody is eager to commit a criminal offense, they wouldn’t commit it proper in entrance of a police officer; they’d be much less more likely to,” mentioned Kelvin Fonville of Norfolk. “So, seeing a much bigger police presence, seeing extra individuals, it undoubtedly does make me really feel safer.”
Derick Miracle 
Sean Davis, who lives in Norfolk, has additionally observed the modifications and mentioned he’s beginning to really feel extra snug when he goes out.
“It’s actually trial and error for my part,” Davis mentioned. “The little steps they’re making, I believe, are fairly good. I like the concept of the cameras and the police truly being on [the] floor out right here, as a result of on Saturday or Friday, it’d be leaping.”
For Jenkins, nevertheless, the added security measures are too little too late.
“I’m not going to pat them on the again for doing one thing that they need to have already executed,” Jenkins mentioned. “You failed us for not having working cameras on a busy leisure avenue like Granby Avenue.”
Derick Miracle 
Although he’s hopeful the modifications will make a distinction, Jenkins mentioned gun violence can occur to anybody, together with harmless bystanders like his daughter Sierra – a journalist who had a promising future.
“She was an excellent particular person,” he mentioned. “She was a younger, decided person who was simply out right here working diligently towards attaining objectives and being profitable.”
Scripps
