Fort Monroe officials consider additional saftey measures, revising hours after reports of stalker on the boardwalk
Complaints from Fort Monroe residents about recent incidents have officials rethinking security at the 565-acre property.
Officials along with the National Park Service representatives say they have learned of two reported instances of what was described as stalking along the boardwalk and the beach area, spokeswoman Phyllis Terrell said. Officials say the incidents took place during the daytime.
Fort Monroe leases 169 residential units.
A letter from Fort Monroe Authority executive director Glenn Oder advised residents “to please take any indications (of stalking) or ‘gut feelings’ seriously and report concerns to directly to the (Hampton Police Division)” either the division’s non-emergency number or 911, “if the situation requires an immediate response."
Officials are planning a community meeting with Hampton police and are evaluating changes to park rules, hours of operation and security patrol procedures. Any changes would be posted on the fort’s website.
Fort Monroe pays Top Guard, a Hampton-based private security firm, to do 24-hour patrols with five unarmed guards who work three single-manned eight-hours shifts. While the property is not a gated community, the Fort Monroe National Monument is closed to the public from midnight to 5 a.m.
Hampton police also has a station at Stillwell Avenue. Virginia State Police also has a station at Fort Monroe on Pratt Street.
Lisa Vernon Sparks, 757-247-4832, lvernonsparks@dailypress.com
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