Some Crime figures are dropping in Norfolk and there is a plan
Interim Police Chief Mike Goldsmith and former Rotarian was introduced by Rotarian of the Day Bob Ash, topic: Policing the Streets of Norfolk.
Mick presented a straightforward open and honest update on the status of crime in Norfolk over the past year. You may remember he accepted the responsibility of Interim Chief in April of 2022 after the retirement of the previous Chief. The original out date was October 2022 but of course, Mike is the consummate public servant and agreed to stay in that position until the best candidate is hired. Maybe April 2023.
For the past 6 months, Violent crime is trending down 6%. Property, stolen vehicles, and auto larceny are trending slightly up. Much of the vehicle crime is attributed to the national issue of certain brands of cars not having the technology to minimize theft. As far as other violent crimes, police officers have been mobilized to areas where data has shown to have rates. The plan to address future crime is to mobilize police to areas of higher crime, recruit more officers and develop partnerships.
The Department is led by 5 guiding principles.
- Officer Wellness
- Operate Sound
- Principle Centered leadership
- Strength in Diversity
- Creating a Learning Organization
The Chief opened and closed his presentation with a heartfelt appreciation of his Rotary experience, and I think I heard his willingness to rejoin the Rotarian Community.
Club Business
- Thank you: Marty Raiss, Linwood Beckner & Mark Shaw for organizing the Winter Social. We had over 60 former and current members attend.
- February is Membership Month! Please bring a prospective member to join us for lunch.
- Service Opportunity at the Foodbank, Thursday, Feb. 9th, 5:30 – 7:30 pm to pack backpacks with food that will be sent home with children on weekends.
- Grant applications are available on our website - Due on Feb. 14
- February is Membership month – thank you to everyone who brought a guest and thank you to all our guests for joining us today. Member/Guest Social at Elation Brewing, Wednesday, March 1st, 5-7 pm, register on our website. Rotarians who bring a guest will receive a free drink ticket and we’ll have some pizza from Chelsea Bakehouse. Please sign up today!
- Member testimonial – new member – Mary Insley
- Invoices have gone out – please pay asap!
- Suds and Buds are on Thursday, May 18 from 5:30-8:30 pm. We need sponsors-please to see Chris Bugg or Tom Koller for more information.
- District 7600 End Polio Now Baseball Game, May 21, 1:05 pm
- Happy Birthday, Rotary, Rotary started with the vision of one man – Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago in Feb. 1905. It began so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. The initial meeting with Paul Harris and three others led to an international organization of service and fellowship. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian assistance. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world.
“Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves”. Paul Harris Rotary Foundation
Thank you, Jeff, for attending District 7600 training the last two Saturdays in Richmond and Williamsburg!
We have a new member
Kay Stine is mentoring Kimber Hammer and her sponsor is Michael Desplaines. Let’s give her an awesome Rotary welcome and I see a future leader in our midst—next step Blue Badge.
Speaking of Blue Badge, Jim Tucker and Greg Bockheim received their blue badges!
FINES/HAPPY BUCKS
- College rivalries are good for our club finances. I hope those North Carolina schools never learn to get along.
- VA Stage Company is doing some awesome stuff and Rotarians are always welcome in the house.
- Diana Starkey is back! And guess what…the Virginia Arts Festival is about ready to happen. The brochure is ready.
More fines and Happy Bucks next week,
LUNCHEON MEETING NEXT WEEK February 14th – Speaker – Dr. Hamid Okhravi, Associate Professor of Geriatrics and Director of Memory Consultation Clinic speaking on Alzheimer’s – Prevention and Treatment
More than a dozen pairs of hands made for light work during a two-hour evening volunteer session at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. We packed 544 bags of food to slip into area children's backpacks to help sustain them over the weekend when they don't get meals at school. In addition to helping our community, Rotarians, potential members and other volunteers had a lot of fun and got to know each other better. 
Rotary Club of Norfolk members love the fellowship aspect of Rotary and turned out in full force for a recent after-work gathering in the new tower at Harbor's Edge retirement community along the Norfolk riverfront. New and long-time Rotarians were joined by spouses and significant others to enjoy each other's company plus beverages and delicious food. It was especially nice to reconnect with several former Rotarians who live at Harbor's Edge. 
Mark your calendars for the seventh Suds & Buds party with a purpose on Thursday, May 18 starting at 5:30 p.m Presented by Virginia Natural Gas. The Rotary Club of Norfolk will partner with Norfolk Botanical Garden and Children's Hospital of The Kings Daughters to host what past guests have called "the best party ever." Proceeds will benefit all three organizations. 
