Vacant storefronts are among growing problems on Atlantic Avenue in Virginia Beach, business owners say

Oceanfront business owners and civic leagues are fed up with the state of affairs on Atlantic Avenue, and want the City Council to take action before the situation gets worse.

Gun violence, groups harassing tourists and police and a proliferation of vacant storefronts are just a few of their concerns.

What they want: To bring back a resort management office at the Oceanfront so city staff can quickly address sidewalk repairs and trash clean-up and to enhance the live entertainment performances along the streets and in the parks to keep tourists coming back.

They also want more officers on the streets and the reinstatement of “friendship patrols,” a community policing effort.