A 19-member task force formed after two shootings rattled Virginia Beach's Oceanfront last spring is set to bring safety recommendations to City Council on Tuesday.
According to The Virginian-Pilot, the Mayor's Task Force for a Safer Virginia Beach will formally present its findings to council this Tuesday, November 10. The city's own Three Month Tentative Agenda confirms the session includes a briefing on the task force's recommendations delivered by Deputy City Manager Monica Croskey, according to a document from the City of Virginia Beach. The task force's final meeting was scheduled for October 29, according to the same Virginian-Pilot report.
Oceanfront Safety Proposals
The task force considered proposals related to safety at the Oceanfront.
Melissa Lukeson, a task force member and community organizer, was among those involved in the panel's discussions.
Recommendations for City Leaders
The task force's recommendations are set to be presented to City Council for consideration.
Some recommendations may go to Richmond, including a call for more powers to control crowds.
Addressing Who Feels Welcome at the Oceanfront
The task force also took up concerns that Black residents and visitors do not feel welcome at the Oceanfront, according to the Virginian-Pilot. Gabe Niles commented on mounted police.
Del. Michael Feggans was a co-chair of the task force.
Built on Months of Listening Sessions
The task force's recommendations followed months of public outreach, including three community listening sessions held July 28-30 to directly hear from residents about safety perceptions and ideas for curbing violence, the Virginian-Pilot reported at the time. An online survey tied to that outreach drew more than 400 responses, according to WHRO. Residents who took part suggested the city focus on improving young people's access to jobs and stable income as a path toward opportunity, per the Virginian-Pilot's August reporting.
A violence-intervention pilot launched in Norfolk's Young Terrace neighborhood in April 2024.
A Police Force Stretched Thin
The push for new safety strategies comes as the police department itself has struggled with staffing. Neudigate told WHRO in June 2025 that vacancies had climbed sharply, saying, “We were down to 40 vacancies. That is now up to 80.”
City Council is scheduled to hear a briefing on the task force's recommendations Tuesday.
