Walmart shooting
Re “‘I literally watched bodies drop’: Witnesses describe Walmart manager’s shooting rampage that killed 6 at Chesapeake store” (Nov. 23): Clearly, we are all shocked and devastated about the Walmart mass shooting in Chesapeake. My heart aches for those who lost family members so tragically. We as a family are committed to maintaining a permit to carry a concealed handgun. We are military veterans and understand the need to be prepared, especially when it comes to an active shooter wherever we might be. We’ve plotted our strategy to share with others in our community. When you find yourself in such a dire situation:
- Don’t just stand there. Run in the opposite direction and hide if you can.
- Create chaos in front of the shooter. Throw store, restaurant or bar items at him: canned goods, chairs, bottles, whatever is handy. A number of people present should rush the shooter immediately to take him down. The point is to react in that moment.
- If you are carrying a handgun, circle around behind him and take your shot.
- If we all are more vigilant everywhere we go — checking out where the exits are, watching the door and who comes in, being conscious of where we are and the potential for an active shooter among us — more lives can be saved.
A shame we have to live this way. However, it seems to be the current status quo. The more you continue to be aware of your surroundings, the better your chances are of surviving should you confront an active shooter. We are veterans of the Army and the Navy. Everywhere we go, we are always conscious of such threats and their potential around us. All in our community need to be as well.
Deborah Ketner, Norfolk
Vehicle registration
The next time you’re out driving and notice the vehicle ahead of you has expired license plates (permanent or temporary) and wonder why it is out on the road seemingly unconcerned about being pulled over by the police, don’t blame it on inattention by the police.
Remember, in 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that prohibited police from stopping drivers solely for vehicle equipment violations such as broken brake lights and expired tags and registration (until four months after the initial expiration date).
As expected, some folks have taken full advantage, and then some, of this wrong-headed legislation.
I have seen permanent and temporary license plates on the roads that expired more than two years ago.
Not only are unsafe vehicles on the roads and the state is being denied the registration fees owed it, but unless the police have other justification for stopping a vehicle, drivers who might have outstanding warrants, illegal guns, and drugs in their vehicles are protected from being pulled over for broken brake lights and expired tags and registration.
So, we suckers will continue to follow the law and keep our vehicle registrations and safety inspections up to date.
I hope Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the next General Assembly turn this around.
Don Vtipil, Norfolk
Beach parking
Viewpoints
Re “Virginia Beach is losing hundreds of Oceanfront parking spots during surf park construction, so city is looking for more” (Nov. 29): I read on an ongoing basis about what a parking problem Virginia Beach has particularly when there is extensive construction, pertaining to construction workers and other beachfront workers.
The present shuttle service has a charge of $2 and it is infrequent and inadequate. The charge cannot be but a small income blip on the city budget. Why not expand the service and make it free?
The city could find multiple park-and-ride locations for anyone who wants to go to the Oceanfront. Construction workers, hotel and restaurant workers, local residents and tourists would all benefit. The expanded service would help alleviate the parking problem plus give a small but welcome gift to generally underpaid maids, housekeepers, wait staff and many other day workers. Another benefit would be additional traffic from local residents, like my wife and me, and our neighbors, who avoid the Oceanfront year-round because of the congestion and parking problems and the general inconvenience of the present shuttle service.
John Baggio, Virginia Beach
Swipe fees
Re “Curb swipe fees to help small business thrive” (Other Views, Nov. 26): While presenting a bill for the installation of energy efficient windows and an exterior door, the contractor said I could pay by check or with a credit card. I countered by offering to pay by cash or check if he would agree to a 2% cash discount. It was not the company’s policy; so, I handed him my credit card. While the contractor incurred by choice those burdensome fees to which Jessica Fischer referred, my credit card company gave me 2% cash back.
If large and small business owners would embrace and advertise a mutually beneficial 2% cash discount for goods and services as a matter of standard practice, local merchants and contractors would avoid swipe fees, while folks who still believe in the goodness and usefulness of cash would delight in each 2% victory. A win-win for sure.
Kenneth Marks, Norfolk