PORTSMOUTH, VA Virginia Beach City officials are trying to uncover who is behind an anonymous mailing that reportedly claimed that Portsmouth, VA was a high-crime city. The unmarked, plain brown packages hit mailrooms just as the $48-million Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center celebrated its grand opening January 10. Police currently have no suspects.
According to the most recent statistics available, the crime rate in Portsmouth has dropped recently and the crime rate in its downtown commercial district is lower than that of Norfolk, VA. (2/12/01)
SOURCE: The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, VA