On May 24, 1982, Detective Leon Whitehurst wrote a letter of invitation to the community of Cavalier Manor requesting that area residents attend an organizational meeting pertaining to the establishment of an Advisory Committee. As a result nine (9) residents were in attendance at the first meeting. The role of the Police Community Relations, its purpose and intent, future goals and objectives of the organization were discussed.
On June 10, 1982, an election of officers was held with 29 members in attendance. The first elected officials were as follows:
On July 1, 1982, a by-laws committee was appointed by the President to establish by-laws for the organization. The by-laws committee members were as follows:
On July 8, 1982, the by-laws committee presented a final draft of the proposed by-laws to the membership, which were voted on and adopted. The purpose of the organization is as follows:
The Police Community Relations Advisory Committee of Cavalier Manor grew from 9 members to over 550 members on roll at one point. Various committees within the organization stand ready to act and serve the organization.
During the course of the year 1982, the organization has presented various activities to the community.
Various Crime Prevention/Police Community Relations film and slide programs have been shown and discussed at weekly meeting. Some of the topics included:
This organization has presented various activities on crime prevention and police community relations to the community at weekly meetings held at the Cavalier Manor Community Center.
On December 1, 1982, “Operation Porchlight” was introduced to Cavalier Manor and the City of Portsmouth. There is now a national program called “National Nightout” where for 1 hour residents are requested to light up their property as a warning to criminals, held each year on August 13th.
On January 6, 1983, the PCR Advisory Committee of Cavalier Manor, the Crime Prevention Unit and a subsequent discussion with the Portsmouth City Attorney led to the implementation of a project by the PCR Committee to purchase, equip and maintain with private funds, a civilian patrol vehicle which would be equipped with a CB radio and manned by volunteers. This vehicle is the most noted accomplishment by the PCR Advisory Committee of Cavalier Manor.
More history to come………