Virginia Beach safety task force holds first round of listening sessions

Virginia Beach’s Mayor’s Task Force for a Safer Virginia Beach held three public listening sessions from July 28 through July 30, marking the first scheduled round of community engagement since the mayor created the panel.

The sessions were organized for three audiences: civil-rights and faith-based organizations, Oceanfront and business stakeholders, and the broader community. The meetings were held as the task force begins gathering input for recommendations that are expected to go to City Council later in 2026.

Three sessions, three audiences

The first session was held Tuesday, July 28, at Bayside Recreation Center, 4500 First Court Road. The city listed it for civil-rights and faith-based organizations.

On Wednesday, July 29, the task force held a business and Oceanfront stakeholders session at the Convention and Visitors Bureau office, 600 22nd St., Suite 200.

The third session was held Thursday, July 30, at Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd., as a community listening session.

All three city event notices said the meetings were open to the public. The notices confirm the dates, locations and intended audiences but do not provide a substantive account of participant comments or identify any policy adopted as a result of the sessions.

Input follows spring Oceanfront concerns

Mayor Bobby Dyer announced the task force in May after violence, large crowds and other public-safety concerns at the Oceanfront led to emergency curfew measures, according to WHRO reporting.

The task force was formed to engage residents and stakeholders and develop recommendations aimed at keeping Virginia Beach safe for residents while preserving its appeal as a tourist destination.

That background explains why the task force sought separate input from civil-rights and faith organizations, business and Oceanfront interests, and the broader community. It does not establish that any particular proposal was endorsed or adopted during the July meetings.

Recommendations are still ahead

The city says the task force is anticipated to complete its work in late 2026 and then submit recommendations to City Council for consideration. Regular updates are expected as the panel continues its review.

For residents, businesses and visitors, the July sessions were a public-input milestone, not a final decision on curfews, policing, crowd-control rules, youth programs, school involvement or other policy changes. The next significant steps will be the task force’s continued work, any published meeting records or updates, and formal recommendations followed by City Council consideration.

Sources

• City of Virginia Beach: Mayor’s Task Force for a Safer Virginia Beach
• WHRO: After violence and crowds, Virginia Beach mayor establishes safety task force