Powhatan residents urge ordinance after repeated near-home gunfire in Glenbrook subdivision
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Summary
Multiple Glenbrook residents told the board they have heard gunfire within feet of homes, cited repeated incidents and safety risks for children, and urged the Powhatan Board to consider an ordinance restricting firearm and pneumatic-gun discharge in R-2 residential zones; the board said it would continue consideration.
Residents of the Glenbrook subdivision and nearby streets told the Powhatan County Board on March 23 that frequent discharges of firearms and explosive targets are making yards unsafe and asked the board to consider an ordinance restricting shooting in R-2 residential zones.
"Between March 8 and March 17 alone, there were 8 separate days of gunfire," Virginia Morgan told the board, saying shots and pneumatic-gun blasts have occurred roughly 100 feet from homes and that law enforcement has limited ability to act without a local ordinance. She asked supervisors to visit her property; she supplied photos, GIS maps and service-call records to the board packet.
Melissa Adams, a neighbor, said shootings sometimes continue for hours and that individuals have used Tannerite and other targets that rattle windows and frighten children and pets. "This is not just happening in the Glenbrook subdivision," she told the board, noting the sheriff's office has received multiple calls.
Ten-year-old Annalise Toney addressed the board as well: "I was really scared because kids were outside and walking home from the school bus," she said, recounting times she and her friends had to take cover because of nearby shooting.
Board members acknowledged the tension between the board's earlier proclamation supporting the Second Amendment and the county's duty to protect public safety. One supervisor said the earlier resolution does not guarantee the right to discharge a firearm and that the board will give "serious consideration" to measures that address safety in small-lot subdivisions.
The board did not adopt an ordinance at the March 23 meeting but committed to continued discussion and follow-up visits; staff and supervisors said they would explore options and bring proposals back to the board.
