RURAL COUNTIES MAY EMPLOY 'ZONE DEFENSE' AGAINST CRIMINALS

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - About 400 convicted criminals and defendants
facing criminal charges in the counties between the York and
Rappahannock rivers may soon find themselves barred from certain "red
zone" areas under a proposed policing program.

The approach is modeled after a similar program in Newport News, where
neighborhoods known for drug trafficking and prostitution are
off-limits to criminals on probation and to suspects facing trial.

The counties under the expanded program would include Gloucester,
Mathews, Middlesex, King William, King & Queen and Essex counties,
said Stephanie Donovan, director of the Middle Peninsula Local
Probation & Pretrial Services Office.

Under the program, the 57 defendants awaiting trial and the 341
convicted offenders under the supervision of Donovan's office would be
barred by judges from loitering in certain red-zone areas, she said.
She said local authorities would help pinpoint the areas.

"It would have to be approved by county judges and commonwealth's
attorneys in each county," she said.

If people are barred from apartment complexes where they live, moving
wouldn't be required. But the court may order increased drug testing,
Donovan said.

Donovan said she decided to pursue the idea in the rural counties
after the owner of a Tappahannock bar told her about three people who
recently caused a disturbance at his business. Two of them were under
her office's supervision, she said.

"This is activity that should not be going on while under
supervision," Donovan added.

In Newport News, the drug offender mapping program has identified 11
high-crime areas in the city, some encompassing 40 square blocks, said
Mark Calhoon, Newport News Police planning administrator.

The areas have high incidences of prostitution and drug arrests, he
said. People barred by a court order from loitering in these areas are
given maps showing the locations of the neighborhoods. Passing through
is acceptable, but staying is not.

"If you're caught hanging out there, it's basically evidence," Calhoon
said, "and you could be brought in for that right then."

The program has been in place about 10 years, he added. Hampton also
has a similar program.

One possible problem in rural counties, however, is the lack of seedy,
drug-plagued areas. Mathews County Sheriff Danny Howlett said he
doesn't think his county has anything that qualifies for red-zone
status, not even a troublesome bar.

"It depends on your definition of a bar," Howlett said. "We don't have
but one bar in the county, and they serve a whole lot more food than
alcohol. I don't see how you could keep someone out of there."