Issue Page

Public safety

Fully staff police, fire, EMS, and dispatch, and design neighborhoods so emergency response is not blocked by flooding, traffic, or avoidable vacancies.

Where this shows up

Citywide: police, fire, EMS, dispatch, inspections, and emergency staffing.
South Norfolk, Indian River, and Rivercrest: flooding, older roads, industrial or waterfront risk, and emergency access.
Western Branch: crime concerns, Chesapeake Square, bus stops, and lighting.
Deep Creek and Southern Chesapeake: large response areas, rural roads, and station coverage.
Greenbrier and Great Bridge: commercial traffic, civic facilities, and public-safety capital spending.

What the city should do

Make Chesapeake number one in Hampton Roads for police starting pay and competitive for fire, EMS, and dispatch.
Publish vacancies, overtime, response time, calls for service, and turnover by service area.
Protect emergency access in road, drainage, and development approvals.
Use staffing, lighting, crossings, youth programming, and code enforcement together.
Prioritize compensation and essential equipment before discretionary capital projects.