PORTSMOUTH, Virginia – So far this year, the number of violent crime in Portsmouth is piling up closely, just slightly behind the same time last year.

Chief Renado Prince said one of his most striking observations is the youth of some of the suspects and victims of gun violence.

The community is also realizing it.

“We are tired of losing our children,” said a resident and a local activist.

These days, Chief Prince says they are seeing fewer traditional gangs.

“This is a group of young men and women hugging each other for safety in certain areas and exchanging gunshots, there’s no other way to tell, for stupid reasons, ”he said.

This is why the police department and the sheriff’s office maintain programs in schools.

Chief Prince’s team is also focused on running community engagement walks at least once a month, but he stressed that they can’t always be there.

“We can’t do it alone,” Prince said.

It allows other community leaders and local organizers to be part of the solution.

Some are already taking action.

“As officers you can validate us in certain situations and we can validate you in certain situations. It’s about working together,” said local youth advocate Darrell Redmond.

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City leaders are also putting in place a crime prevention and violence reduction plan.

It’s a set of initiatives that are happening now or that will be implemented by April.

Groups like the Housing Authority and Workforce Development are involved.

“It’s a ‘doing well, because we give you options,'” Prince said.

To further combat gun violence, he mentioned that he was interested in ShotSpotter technology which has been proven in other Hampton Roads towns like Newport News and Virginia Beach.

He pointed out that, of course, this comes at a high price. He said he would speak to other city leaders to see if this is something that can be implemented in Portsmouth.

In addition to other challenges, the force faces a shortage of 70 officers. Chief Prince said they were working to provide a more competitive salary.

A new HR employee focuses on recruiting.