Portsmouth rally calls on city, neighbors to act now to stop gun violence
A group of community members staged a rally in downtown Portsmouth Thursday in response to violent crimes, especially involving children. Author: Eugene Daniel (WVEC), Sarah Hammond Published: 8:12 PM EDT July 21, 2021 Updated: 11:13 PM EDT July 21, 2021
PORTSMOUTH, Va. Onyx Hicks, Darrell Redmond, and Katt Howell are tired of the violence in their community.
The trio organized a rally in downtown Portsmouth Wednesday night to give the community opportunities to share frustrations and suggestions to prevent crime and gun violence involving young people. We are calling out those in higher power, but today we are also calling out people that are in the households, said Redmond.
Portsmouth community âdisgustedâ by surging summer gun violence
and last updated 2021-07-22 04:48:36-04
PORTSMOUTH, Va. â Community members from all walks of life took to the streets in downtown Portsmouth Wednesday demanding change.
âWe need change now,â chanted a group of more than 80 people.
The surging gun violence across the nation and in Hampton Roads has community activists like Darrell Redmond, 43, disgusted and tired. Theyâre now calling on Portsmouth city leaders to step up and take action to curb crime.
âThe community is disgusted,â said Redmond, who organized the rally. âThe City of Portsmouth is in a state of emergency right now.â
2 people displaced in Portsmouth house fire
Aleksey Stemmer;Aleksejs Polakovs
and last updated 2021-03-31 19:40:07-04
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Two people have been displaced after a fire in Portsmouth Wednesday evening.
According to officials with Portsmouth Fire Rescue, the call came in at 6:16 p.m. for a fire at 37 Merrimac Drive. When crews arrived, they found light smoke coming from a second-story window.
The fire was marked under control at 6:32 p.m. No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters.
The Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority is arranging housing for the displaced residents.
The fire is currently under investigation by the Portsmouth Fire Marshalâs Office.