Shea Terrace has had some terrific NEAT (Neighborhood Enhancement Action Team) officers, termed “NIO’s” (neighborhood impact officers) over the years. In fact, we’re such great trainers here in the neighborhood, we seem to lose NIO’s to promotion!
Rusty Venters, a previous NIO, is now Lt. Venters. And, unfortunately for us, but happily for him, NIO Sean Hughes has been promoted to Sgt.
Our new NIO is a trailblazer. Officer Whitney Ray is our first female NIO. Officer Ray will serve Shea Terrace and London Oaks. Ray is well thought of by both her peers and chain of command. She spent several years in security with the Portsmouth Police Department prior to becoming an officer.
Ray comes to us with 5 years total experience. Her last position was as a uniformed patrol officer in the Southside area, serving residents of Truxton and Swanson Homes on the midnight tour.
Officer Ray has already met with members of the Civic League Board and looks forward to meeting community members at the next Civic League meeting. She has also met with the two detectives who serve our neighborhood. Ray is clearly a problem solver and a “people person”; both important qualities in a successful neighborhood officer.
Please be sure to offer Officer Ray a warm Shea Terrace welcome as you see her out and about. As always, call 911 first in an emergency, but feel free to call Officer Whitney Ray at cell phone number 715-3641 or rayw@portsmouthva.gov with any neighborhood crime questions or concerns.