Portsmouth business owners raise concerns about violent crime

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – People who live and work in Portsmouth want to end violent crime.

Police Chief Stephen Jenkins addressed the issue at a forum on Wednesday. He said although violent crime is down compared to last year, the department needs more officers and the public's help in reporting crimes.

Watch: Portsmouth PD Chief Talks Recent Crime; says he needs 90 more officers

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

After a recent series of crimes in the city center, entrepreneurs are also hoping for quick action.

This week they raised concerns with the city and police, saying violent crime should be considered a public emergency.

On High Street Thursday, business owners told News 3 they heard gunshots over the weekend. One man was injured in a shooting between Court and Middle streets on October 20th.

Watch: Portsmouth residents are outraged by recent incidents of violence across the city

Portsmouth residents are outraged by recent incidents of violence across the city

Others who work on that city block said the weekend shooting was just one of several violent incidents that occurred too close to home.

A worker told News 3 her relative was injured by a stray bullet a few blocks away on London Street two weekends ago. She did not want to be identified for fear of becoming a target.

Chief Jenkins said the incident started as an argument in a parking garage.

“It's important to know that we have a victim who is sleeping in his home, minding his business,” Jenkins said. “And based on the activities that took place in the city that night, based on basic conflict resolution that wasn't used that night, we had a bullet go through a wall and shoot someone.”

Watch: Shooting in downtown Portsmouth sends man to hospital

Police are investigating shootings in downtown Portsmouth

We're told the victim is recovering and police are searching for suspects in this case. They are asking anyone with information about this and other cases to come forward.

Police encourage residents to use the Police to Citizen resource to report incidents.

“I am asking people who have information about gun violence and homicides to please … contact us and provide that information,” Jenkins said.

Further down the High Street you will find Tony Goodwin's Market Street and General Store. He is also frustrated by the violence.

“Just like any other downtown area, people come here, they have a good time, they get a little rowdy,” Goodwin said.

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A fresh market opens in downtown Portsmouth to meet demand

He and others in Portsmouth don't want these incidents to drive people away, especially as the city actively works to attract more businesses to the newly named Innovation District in the High Street Corridor.

As a result, business owners called on the city to limit the number of nightspots until the police force is better staffed. This proposal complements other work in the city that addresses the root causes of violence.

And business owners want the public to know the area is being taken seriously as a safe and family-friendly place.

“We got over the stigma of a downtown area a long time ago. “This is just one hurdle in the way that we want to move quickly,” Goodwin said.

Watch: Portsmouth Police reach out to community about crime reduction efforts

Portsmouth Police talk about efforts to reduce crime

This is underpinned by a decline in violent crime in the city. According to police, the number of violent crimes, which include murder, rape and robbery, fell by 15 percent this year between January 1 and September 30, 2024, compared to the same period last year.

However, police have also seen an increase in other types of crimes, such as shootings in occupied apartments.

Business owners are naturally hoping crime rates continue to decline as they look forward to a busy fall season.