Norfolk School Board member Billy Cook was the focus of an article in Sunday’s Virginian Pilot. Cook is on a mission: to end youth violence, and is urging others to help:
Each time Cook heard about another shooting, beating or murder, he e-mailed messages to nearly 100 people. Sometimes he gave media interviews, calling for action from principals, pastors and community leaders – even local sports leagues. “We’ve got to put our arms around our kids,” Cook said, “even the ones who are acting a fool.”
I’ve received a couple of those emails myself. Cook’s passion has been further fueled by the shooting of his own son, Cal.
“The only way to protect my son and all of us that live here is do something about crime in all of our communities,” Cook wrote in an e-mail. “My son represents all of the children that I serve and have served in this community.”
The issue of youth violence is one that should concern us all. It is not just confined to certain neighborhoods; rather, it spills over everywhere. When football games are being rescheduled for fear of violence, when kids can’t walk down the street for fear or being shot or robbed, it is beyond time to do something about it.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Thank you for sharing this. I, too, am sick and tired of the violence in our communities! And I’m sick and tired of people pointing the finger all the time! The comments below the article are maddening. Obviously, it’s not always the fault of the parents, as evidenced by the Cooks’ own dedication to parenting not only their children, but the neighborhood children, as well. And we can’t afford to place all the blame on NRA, either, because they’re not forcing anyone to buy and use these guns. And it’s not the fault of all the people who choose to stay in Norfolk and ride it out, hoping for a better day and working for change. When are we gonna wake up and realize that “it takes a village,” people??? Mr. and Mrs. Cook, my hat is off to you both!
Bill Thomas, Director of Government Relations for Hampton University, is leading the charge against violence in our communities. Please read the article in the Daily Press printed Oct. 30th.
http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-local_squires_1030oct30,0,7648169.column
was there a election in may of this year, you are right there was election, well i told you so, during the 1st debate betwwen myself and mr. winn. the only person who talk about gangs in are schools was me, this is a fact, as winn said he was the law and order candidate, it is such a bad joke i am not sure if i should smile or cry.