(Danville, Va.) – Danville’s new police chief is making good on his pledge to walk the streets and meet residents one-on-one to address the city’s crime problem.

Chief Scott Booth joined 30 other Danville Police officers walking door-to-door Thursday afternoon in the Cardinal Village neighborhood to reach out to residents and talk with them about their needs and how the department can make their neighborhood a safer and better place.

Many expressed concerns about unsupervised kids on the streets, vacant houses, streetlights being out, and frequently hearing shots fired. They requested a greater police presence, especially foot patrols.

Chief Booth told residents he “is a big fan” of foot patrols and plans to increase the police presence in their neighborhood. He also promised to address their other concerns quickly.

Booth is an advocate of community policing and plans to increase foot patrols in crime-plagued neighborhoods. He implemented a similar strategy as an officer in the Richmond Police Department.

The Community Walk was the first of a dozen planned in Danville over the next several months.