Portsmouth PD Chief Discusses Recent Crime; says he needs 90 more officers

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Bob Dewitt was born and raised in Portsmouth. In fact, he was born at Portsmouth Naval Hospital.

Dewitt works on High Street and lives in the Olde Towne area. The city is home.

But he calls the recent criminal cases “heartbreaking.”

“I personally hear gunshots on a weekly basis,” he said. “If it's not every other night, it's very week-long.”

Dewitt works near a site where a man was seriously injured in a shooting early Sunday morning. Later that day, another man was killed and two others were injured in a shooting on Jefferson Street.

During a forum on Wednesday evening, Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins said from January 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024, violent crime – which includes murder, rape and robbery – decreased by 15% compared to the same period in 2023.

As of October 21, 2024, there have been 33 homicides in the city, compared to 34 at the same time in 2023.

The chief also noted an increase in shootings in occupied dwellings, including homes.

The chief said his department had taken a number of measures, including improving surveillance along the High Street and tackling possible breaches in the CBD.

Chief Jenkins spent a lot of time talking about staffing. He said he needs to hire 90 officers to adequately staff his department.

He says the challenge is staying competitive with other police departments in Hampton Roads and retaining the officers he already has on the force. He said appreciation for his employees is key.

“They see what you say and when they are underestimated, do you know what they do? They pack their bags and leave,” said the boss. “Why stay somewhere when you’re underestimated?”

Mayor Shannon Glover said staffing will be a top priority.

“We are approaching budget season,” he said. “Maybe they won’t wait until budget season… some special funding may need to be made available.”

The chief said it is also the responsibility of the community to report crimes and use the Crime Line to provide tips to law enforcement.

The residents hope that something will be done soon.

“I want my city back,” Dewitt said. “In the sense that you feel free and you don’t have to worry about that family walking down the sidewalk and getting back to their family safely.”