News Articles

The Board and Community were honored to welcome Ms. Ebony Wright, our Councilwoman; Chief of Police Danny Buie, Precinct 2 Captain Diggs; Sherriff David Miles; interim City Manager, Mr. Kevin Hughes; Public Works Director Gregg Benton; Commonwealth’s Attorney, Narenda Pleas; and Deputy Sherriff Davis.

 

It was a great information exchange and discussion.  Requests for information from the Community included Rt. 17 traffic (speed, light, volume) and the process/information regarding sewer service in the neighborhood.

--Rt. 17:  Public Works is collecting traffic volume data and Police Department is collecting speed data.  The data will determine if it would be beneficial to increase enforcement (could be near term) or install a traffic light (much longer to implement).  There has been one accident at the intersection in the recent past (occurred in 2020).

 

--Sewer service:  Mr. Hughes reviewed the process for petitioning for sewer service in a neighborhood.  The entire process can take up to ten or more years.  It begins with an informal survey of the community to determine interest.  Community interest/desire is shown by receiving agreement from at least 51% of 2/3 of the neighborhood.  After the community submits an informal petition, the City mails an interest form to every homeowner which requires the same 51% of 2/3 of the neighborhood.  Once that is received, the design/funding process begins.  A sewer project is a Capital Improvement Project that needs to compete for budgeting/funding.  At the present time, sewer connection cost is $7,800/lot.  Homeowner also pays to run plumbing from the home to the sewer connection point.

 

The Chief Buie and Ms. Pleas reviewed crime and enforcement statistics for the City and our local area.  Larceny is the most prevalent crime in Suffolk.  All law enforcement members present stressed the importance of locking your cars and your home.  Many thefts are fast “open and grab” type of crimes.  Overall crime is decreasing while the population is increasing.

Mr. Benton provided an excellent overview of the ongoing road construction projects in our area and highlighted the quarterly Public Works newsletter.  Residents can sign up to receive the newsletter directly or visit the City website.  The website also provides multiple ways to report issues for Public Works (www.suffolkva.us/237/Public-Works).  Finally, at the end of March there will be another Great Suffolk Cleanup.  Information is available on the Public Works website.  Mr. Benton stated that the Shoulders Hill Rd intersection project is expected to complete in late Spring 2026 and the Crittenden Rd realignment in December 2026.  Both projects are currently on schedule.

 

Sherriff Miles reviewed his office’s role in the City and the scope of the work they perform.  He also highlighted the upcoming Senior Expo for those 55 and up.  It will be held in the spring.  Watch for announcements.

 

Ms. Wright wrapped up the discussion.  She invited everyone to follow her Facebook page (Ebony Wright) and let us know that she is having a floral arranging event on April 11.  For details see her FB page.