by Shawn Nowlin
Regardless of any perceived reputation a neighborhood may have, its residents should never have to choose between law enforcement safety and fairness.
The goal for every police officer should be to safeguard human life, protect constitutional rights and maintain public order. When people, especially cops, see humanity in their fellow citizens, accountability and transparency increase significantly.
Five individuals have been shot and killed this year. The Roanoke Police Department is taking crime prevention directly to different neighborhoods throughout the city.
On May 20, federal prosecutors and local police joined forces at Tinker Creek Apartments for the Chief’s Walk. More than just a monthly collaboration between local and federal law enforcement agencies, the walk also allows residents to address concerns.
Among the participants were Police Chief Scott Booth and Robert Tracci, the First Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia.
When Booth accepted the position in September 2023 after a long career in Danville, VA., he made a promise to the city – to fully support both the community and local law enforcement in any way possible.
Kayla Jackson has called Roanoke home for nearly three decades. In that time, she says she’s encountered every type of police officer imaginable – ones that go above and beyond to honor the badge as well as those who are morally corrupt.
“No one wants to be painted with a broad brush. To better understand one another, we should put ourselves in others’ shoes. Most of the cops that I have encountered are exactly what our community needs. The bad ones need to be held accountable for their actions,” Jackson said.
She added, “It’s been proven that when law enforcement leaders build connections in the community they serve, overall crime comes down.”
Nationwide, the average police officer earns approximately $76,000 a year. In Roanoke, that number hovers around $42,000 for entry-level positions.
Per data from the department, Roanoke crime is down nearly 25 percent compared with this time in 2025. Organizers behind the monthly initiative say that conversations between law enforcement and residents will continue in the future.
The Roanoke Police Department wrote on its Facebook page over the weekend, “Thank you to everyone who joined us for this month’s Chief’s Walk. We were honored to welcome representatives from the Western District of Virginia’s U.S. Attorney’s Office. These conversations and connections are an important part of strengthening public safety across our city.”
