HAMPTON — The police department’s Gun Crimes Task Force, established in November of 2016, is dedicated to dealing with violent crimes concerning gun violence, gang violence and drugs.
The Task Force was put in place in response to an increase in violent crimes involving guns, gangs and drugs, said Master Police Officer Brian Boyd with the K-9 unit.
Boyd said wherever police find guns they are most likely to find gangs and drugs.
He said 176 firearms have been recovered by the Task Force since November 2016.
Back when the Task Force was created, Boyd was asked to join the 6-officer unit.
On a day-to-day basis the Task Force makes routine patrols at “hot spots” in the city, conducts traffic stops, interacts with the community and responds to calls from residents concerning violent crimes.
Boyd said the Task Force maintains a presence in those “hot spots,” mainly to keep crime at a minimum, but also to interact with the public and hear their concerns.
The biggest concern he hears from residents in the “hot spots” is that they are afraid of gun violence in their community.
He said most people will talk to the unit while they are out and about.
When officers are responding to a call or if they are doing a traffic stop, a few ways they can seize a gun are if the individual has a concealed weapon with no permit or if a gun is seen in a vehicle but no one claims it, Boyd said.
According to Virginia Law, it is lawful to open-carry a gun in the state but it is unlawful to conceal a weapon without the proper permit, according to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
A few tips Boyd has for the general public is to always lock your car and don’t leave your weapons inside vehicles.
He said a lot of times people will break into vehicles and steal the guns left inside.
He also said that a resident should always call if they believe they have heard gun shots or if they have reason to believe a shooting has taken place.
Working with the community
Another way the Hampton Police Division works with the community to prevent crime other than speaking with them about their concerns is by holding gun safety seminars.
The Community Engagement Unit works with any member of the public that wants a seminar on gun safety and on occasion the School Resource Officers will call to have an officer come in and educate school children, said according to police Cpl. Ashley Jenrette, public information officer.
She said the Community Engagement Unit can also provide gun locks to parents if they need a way to safely store their gun away from their children.
To learn about the Hampton Police Division, click here.
