Former Virginia Beach police chief leading task force on violent crime
Jim Cervera’s no stranger to dealing with crime on city streets. He spent decades working in the Virginia Beach Police Department, including as chief for 10 years.
Cervera retired in 2020, but he’s been working behind the scenes to help make the city safer. He co-leads a task force created after a spate of shootings at the Oceanfront and is focused on lessoning violence among youth and young adults. On Tuesday, he talked to the City Council about the group’s plans.
“We’re going to build a better city,” Cervera said. “We realize the importance of safety and security for our city.”
They’ve brought various department heads together, including from the police department and the Commonwealth’s Attorney as well as human services, schools and libraries to identify the problems and potential solutions.
Originally, the task force planned to focus on “youth,” but Cervera said it will expand to include working with people in their 20s.
“When somebody turns 18 a light doesn’t necessarily go on and suddenly value systems change,” he said.
Representatives from the police and parks and recreation departments are traveling this week to Los Angeles to learn about a program that provides meals, activities and entertainment for families in neighborhood parks. A similar program in Virginia Beach could bring positive change, Cervera said.
Cervera and task force co-chair Pastor Michael Daniels will meet soon with community groups in Virginia Beach.
“We want to hear what their perceptions are, hear what they think we, the city, could be doing better,” Cervera said. “But most importantly, we are then going to ask them, how will your group, your individuals come on board with these programs.”
The focus on youth gun violence moved to the forefront in Virginia Beach after 10 people were shot, two of whom died, at the Oceanfront on March 26, 2021. Mayor Bobby Dyer assembled the task force, which began meeting earlier this year. He also joined other Hampton Roads mayors who have formed a regional task force on gun violence.
During that chaotic night in the resort area, DeShayla Harris, 28, was shot and killed by what police have said was a stray bullet on 19th Street. No one has been charged in Harris’ homicide.
Harris’ mother, Elisheba, spoke at Tuesday’s formal City Council meeting.
“This pain is not going away,” said Harris, who said she’s started a business to help other people suffering from traumatic events. “I want to help the environment, the community.”
The mayor said he plans to invite Harris to the September meeting of the regional task force on youth gun violence.
Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com
