NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Stop the Violence 757 is working hard to take back our communities from crime.
Monica Atkins, its founder, started the nonprofit after the death of her son 10 years ago. Atkins adopted a section of Effingham Street in memory of Antonio Atkins.
In December 2014, he was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting.
This past weekend, Atkins hosted a cleanup in Portsmouth while Reginia Richardson-Bailey hosted another cleanup in Norfolk.
Richardson-Bailey was working in the community to stop violence in the Hampton Roads area before her son D’Vurille Bailey was killed on Manson Street.
Earlier this year in April, she was able to adopt the street with an official sign at the area he was struck. Now, four times per year, she organizes clean-up events.
“We always want to fulfill our obligations,” Richardson-Bailey said.
This street adoption honors the life of D’Vurille Bailey in hopes to address gun violence. After a 10 On Your Side story aired, Richardson-Bailey received a message with information.
“It was an anonymous tip,” Richardson-Bailey said. “Apparently, whoever the young lady was contacting me on social media saying she has some answers and then reneged after that, changed her phone number and everything.”
The journey in the following months, where made more challenging with work stress. Four months later in August, Reginia says she wasn’t well while at work.
“I ended up having a stroke, and I’m not blaming it on the death of my son because I know he’s not coming back, but I’m just so… my brain… in my mind just said you got to continue to do so. Even when the doctors say no, I still [press on], hardheaded, but I’m recovering and doing better. At the end of the day, D’Vurille wouldn’t want to see me doing anything but better.”
Richardson-Bailey hopes there is a break in the investigation.
“I want to make a change,” she said. “Anything is on the street is not supposed to be honest. God will take it out in His own way.”
Despite her recent health challenges, she says this is what keeps her going.
When asked what goes through her mind when she sees the sign, Richardson-Bailey said, “It just makes me smile even more to know that we’re going to continue to keep the street clean on a regular basis like we’re supposed to.”
Out volunteering over the weekend is her friend of 30 years, Drenda Menser.
“What we share in common is the loss of our children,” Menser said. “They died in different ways, but the results are the same. We come out to uplift her and get this street name changed and let them know this thing has to stop.”
In October 2020, Keyontay Harris was shot on Fenner Street in Norfolk. The bullet hit a femur artery in his leg and paramedics rushed him to the hospital.
Menser said, “My son is Keyontay Harris. He died Nov. 19, 2020. He got shot on Fenner Street, hit a femur artery. They got him to the hospital. He lasted 30 days, only to come home and only last 14 because of the drugs they were giving him inside. He wanted them on the outside. In turn, he went out and found some street-level drugs with fentanyl in it, so he actually died from fentanyl. I’m kind of on both sides here.”
Both moms lean on each other, as Menser works to adopt-a-spot.
“I plan to adopt very, very soon,” Menser said. I’m going to start at the beginning of the year, Fenner Street. We’re going to change that to KeKe’s Way, and maybe we can make it Keke’s way.”
Learn more about Stop the Violence 757.