2nd Precinct Citizens Advisory Committee
Recap of Second Precinct CAC Meeting November 12, 2025
The Citizens’ Advisory Committee of the Second Precinct was held on November 12 in the VBVRS Station #14 conference room. Twenty-two people were present.
After a round of introductions, CAC President M. C. “Connie” Agresti opened a numerous public service announcements:
- As this was the last CAC meeting of calendar year 2025, Mr. Agresti wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Happy Kwanza.
- He mentioned that with the imminent relocation of CAC meetings to the Second Precinct Muster Room in January, he sent out a survey to see if people wanted to keep the 7:00 start time or move it to the left by 30 or 60 minutes.Results at end of this recap.
- The CAC will be sponsoring an Adopt-a-Muster on Thanksgiving Day for those officers working on the holiday.Please see attached notice and coordinate any donations with Adopt-a-Muster Director, Jenny Perry.
- Mr. Agresti commented on two VBPD recruitment videos that will soon be hitting the airwaves.They are professionally done and “really good,” in his humble opinion.😉
- Two City Councilperson-sponsored events were underway concurrent with this CAC meeting (District 5 Councilwoman and Deputy Mayor Rosemary Wilson was holding a self-defense workshop and District 6 Councilman Worth Remick was conducting a Town Hall).
Captain Brad Wesseler, Second Precinct Commander, was graduating from a year-long leadership course this evening and asked Lieutenant Jenn van Note to sit in as his representative. of the Oceanfront Community Oriented Policing (OCOP) fielded questions on a fatal shooting that occurred in the Renaissance Place Shopping Center on September 28.
First order of business was to recognize Detectives Gary Cordingley and Sydney Stephens as Officers of the Third Quarter. Their efforts in securing arrests of EBK (Everybody Killer) gang members and getting weapons and drugs off our streets cannot be lauded highly enough. Please see the accompanying memorandum recommending for this recognition.
Lt. van Note discussed upcoming events such as Holiday Lights and mentioned that the just-concluded Jeep Weekend went very well. Because she had other commitments (this was her day off), she opened the floor to questions.
She was asked if the ePRO (electronic police records online) function was still available to citizens but was unsure. MPO Kishon M Roberts, Second Precinct Community Liaison Officer, said that he would investigate.
The next question was whether a young woman whose car had twice been “marked” with blue tape should be concerned. Police did not have information on those incidents and recommended that whenever something out-of-the-ordinary like that occurs, it is a good idea to report it to the police. Mr. Agresti added that he had seen that incident cited in social media and urged attendees to capture screen shots among other information and pass them to police. Officer Roberts’ email is kmroberts@vbgov.com .
Residents along the Holly Road corridor requested police speed enforcement because this residential street has become a detour for commuters who ignore the posted 25 MPH speed limit. Discussion ensured as to opportune times for police presence and the possibility of placing a speed trailer along the road.
A question was asked about residual actions in the Renaissance Shopping Center after the late-September shooting. Lt. van Note stated that the clubs have been enforcing an 11:00 PM closing time and that an officer patrols the parking lot with a camera to ensure that patrons do not loiter and create disturbances.
Ms. Ruth Ann Steenburgh, Crime Solvers, discussed the success of that program in helping VBPD detectives close 100 percent of homicides in the past year. She mentioned that Crime Solvers is seeking directors (she has been one for > 30 years) to advertise the program at community assemblies, help solicit funds for rewards (they’ve approved > $2 million over the years), and recognize deserving law enforcement officers at their annual dinner. She may be reached at 888-562-5887.
Mr. Mike Leigh, Great Neck Recreation Center, discussed the success of their Goola Palooza event that attracted more than 3,000 people. He mentioned that “swim season” is upon us and encouraged those visiting the Center intending to swim, to check the online event schedule at Great Neck | City of Virginia Beach .
A Red Cross Blood Drive will be held at the Center on November 25, between the hours of 10 and 3. Register at https://www.reccrossblood.org and type “GNRC” for location.
CAC Treasurer Lisa McDonnell said that the VB Animal Care and Adoption Center (341 S. Birdneck Rd (23451)) will hold a rabies vaccination and microchip workshop on Tuesday, November 18 from 9:00 AM – Noon. There is a $10 fee for each service.
Ms. McDonnell also said that the Center has hired a veterinarian to fill that vacant position and is seeking at least one additional vet tech. The Center is also facing an increase in animal surrenders due to the government shutdown’s influence upon owners’ disposable income. Whether that reverses with the end of the shutdown remains to be seen.
PO2 Lanny B. Parker, VBPD Aviation Unit, spoke of the helicopter and drone operations of the Department. He displayed the drones used by police and detailed their various capabilities and circumstances in which they are used (e.g., to assist traffic flow, after fatal accidents and homicides, in SWAT situations). The largest of the drones have infrared sensors to differentiate heated objects in the dark (e.g., missing persons or fugitives) and that the smallest of the drones can be flown into buildings and controlled by an operator wearing special goggles. Officer Parker made a point of highlighting that police are prohibited by state law from routine searches of neighborhoods or persons absent a search warrant, exigent circumstances, or lost individuals. The larger drones have a nominal operational range of 10 kilometers but are rarely flown more than one mile from the operator due to only a 25-minute loiter time.
The government shutdown has left many desperate for money. Some believe that the easier way to gift gifts is to have someone else pay for them. Thereafter, discussion ensued about personal safety while shopping. Lt. van Note provided some tips that she gives women in self-protection classes she teaches. These and others are repeated below – please share.
- Keep at least one hand unencumbered at all times.
- Shop with a friend or partner.
- If you can shop without a purse, do so.It is one less thing to carry and protect. Rather, designate a single credit card for the day’s purchases and carry it alone.
- Keep any packages and valuables left in a vehicle out of sight.
- Do not unlock your car from a distance, especially if lights flash and the horn sounds when you unlock.
- Lock your car as soon as you get into it.
- Keep your “head on a swivel” and be aware of your surroundings.
- If you feel uncomfortable, return to the mall and request a security escort.
- Stay off the phone while walking to your car.
- Nothing you buy is worth your life. Give them up, if necessary.
Porch pirating was also discussed. Here are some tips to use to thwart thefts of packages:
- Always ask the online vendor to overwrap the product so that the actual content (e.g., new Windows 11 computer) is not visible.
- Schedule deliveries for periods when someone is expected to be home (e.g., weekends).
- If you have security cameras, be sure that they’re charged and operational.
- Arrange for a non-working (e.g., retired) neighbor to receive packages or keep a lookout for deliveries.
- Arrange delivery directly to a gift recipient or to a neutral location (e.g., Mail Boxes, Inc).
- Monitor email for delivery notifications.I have found that this is often my first indication of a delivery even when I am at home.
- Finally, keep a look-out for suspicious vehicles and persons.Caveat: it has become common to conduct deliveries by non-liveried individuals in private autos.Just verify that they’re carrying packages AWAY from the residence versus TO it before calling authorities.Police non-emergency number is 757-385-5000.Get the best descriptive of the person, vehicle, license plate that you can (a picture is worth a thousand words).
The next CAC meeting will be on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, in the Second Precinct Muster Room (820 VB Blvd (aka: 17th Street)) at 6:00 PM. All are invited. Recommended parking location will be announced before the meeting.
Results of Meeting start time poll were:
6:00 – 57%
6:30 – 29%
7:00 - 14%
And last, but not least: Thank you to Maureen Bourgeois for baking and bringing a seriously yummy cake.