City Manager's Messages

May 31, 2019 -- As you have undoubtedly heard by now, the City of Virginia Beach experienced a tragic workplace violence event today. As details are still evolving, it appears that an employee violently gunned down his peers, resulting in eleven confirmed dead and at least six injured. Our condolences go out to the City of Virginia Beach and its employees. Our hearts ache for our public service peers. We are one united family of public servants who care deeply about our communities and each other. I have already extended the Hampton team’s support to Virginia Beach City Manager Dave Hansen. We stand ready to help in anyway possible. While our pain cannot compare to those who lost family, friends or co-workers today, it is nonetheless real. All violence is horrible, but today’s events hit especially close to home.

I want to assure you that our City has long taken the issue of workplace safety seriously. I am proud of our Hampton Police and Fire Divisions for proactively planning for active shooter events at offices, schools and other community venues. As recently as this week, Police and Fire staff were conducting active shooter tabletop drills. Many city departments have received training, but we will work to expand that training to all remaining departments in the coming weeks and offer refresher training to those who wish to again review safety procedures. We will send out more details on the training opportunities over the next week. 

I know you will all join me in keeping the Virginia Beach municipal team and larger community in our thoughts.

-Mary