Virginia Beach city leaders are weighing a comprehensive set of 27 recommendations designed to make the Oceanfront and the broader community safer. The proposals were delivered to City Council on Tuesday by the mayor’s task force for a safer Virginia Beach, a group that has been gathering ideas from residents, business owners and public‑safety advocates for years.

Key components of the plan

Among the Oceanfront‑specific actions, the task force suggests improving street lighting, cleaning up storefronts, expanding entertainment options and, on Friday and Saturday evenings, converting portions of Atlantic Avenue into a pedestrian‑friendly zone. These changes aim to create a more welcoming atmosphere while deterring criminal activity.

Perhaps the most novel element is the proposed violence‑interruption program. City Manager Patrick Duhaney explained that the pilot would bring in trained community members—people who are not police officers—to engage with young adults visiting the beach during the spring season. “We feel we need additional support from someone who is not the police, helping us to have good, authentic conversations with young adults who come down and visit during the spring to help de‑escalate situations when they arise,” Duhaney said.

Broader city initiatives

Beyond the resort area, the recommendations call for expanding mental‑health crisis response teams, improving youth access to jobs and transportation, and enhancing street lighting throughout the city. Councilman Michael Berlucchi warned that time is limited to act before the next spring tourism surge. “It’s not going to be cheap, but neither is the cost of headlines and impact to businesses, and most importantly, loss of life or harm to human beings. We cannot afford not to try the violence interruption program,” he said.

Mayor Bobby Dyer emphasized that the plan consolidates many ideas that have been discussed for years into a single, actionable framework. “These are a lot of individual things people have been talking about for a long time,” Dyer noted, adding that he does not want the recommendations to become another document that sits on a shelf.

Next steps

City staff have already begun work on several items and expect to bring an update to Council in December or January. The council will consider funding, implementation timelines and any necessary ordinance changes before moving forward.

The safety plan reflects a community‑first approach, seeking to protect families, support local businesses and preserve the Oceanfront’s reputation as a family‑friendly destination. By combining infrastructure upgrades with community‑based interventions, Virginia Beach hopes to set a model for other coastal cities facing similar challenges.

Original reporting: WTKR News 3 (Scripps) – local — read the source article.