‘Drive or drive away:’ calls for more accountability on Portsmouth police

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A prayer has started a call for more accountability when it comes to fighting crime in Portsmouth.

Pastor Barry Randall-Jenkins led a gathering on the steps of Portsmouth City Hall to send a message to Police Chief Stephen Jenkins.

“We’re reaching out to our police department for help,” Randall-Jenkins said. “We’re still trying to reinvent the wheel, when what’s needed in Portsmouth is plain, old-fashioned policing (and asking people) ‘Why aren’t you at school today, young man?’ I need you all to leave this corner.”

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The small rally comes just days after a forum where Chief Jenkins said violent crimes, such as rape and homicide, dropped 15 percent from Jan. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2024, compared to the same period from 2023.

But Randall-Jenkins said the police department needs to be more proactive.

“It hasn’t been minimized to us, because we still get the same things that people call and say, ‘hey, nothing’s being done.’

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At this week’s forum, Chief Jenkins outlined the need to hire 90 more police officers and described the challenges of keeping the officers he already has on staff.

“You’re asking me, right now, to play a Championship football game against Tom Bray in his prime with six men and you expect me to win,” boss Jenkins said on Wednesday. “You expect me to come out here and compete.”

Randall-Jenkins told the small group Friday that she believes the department should facilitate more engagement in the neighborhood that needs it most.

“How come we don’t have enough police officers to patrol a crime-ridden street, but if someone loses their life on that street, then they can bring in 25 and 30 police officers?” he asked.

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The pastor pressed Chief Jenkins citing some recent incidents, including a man who was shot and killed Sunday at Jefferson and Evergreen and another man who was shot on High Street that same day.

“My issue is not asking anyone to resign,” Randall-Jenkins said. “My problem is to say drive or leave. Basically, what I’m saying is, if you’re going to lead us, there’s no need to leave us. But if you won’t lead us, then we need you to leave us. Because what I can’t sit back and take is when you (the boss) say, “we all have to do this together.”

The chief said earlier in the week: “I don’t go back and forth with anybody … I pour my heart and soul into this community, and those who are real about what we’re doing recognize that. “