"Charlottesville's city councilors have sent a 'confusing signal' to city residents by not going far enough to condemn a series of attacks on local college students as inexcusable violence, said Rob Schilling, the sole Republican running for City Council.

'I think we need to treat all crimes as hateful, especially when they involve violence,' Schilling said Tuesday after a news conference announcing his endorsement by the city police officers union. 'A lot of people, they're wondering why the City Council has not come forward with a strong message against this. I certainly was wondering.'

Schilling is one of four candidates running in the May 7 election for two seats, on the all-Democrat council. The three other candidates are Mayor Blake Caravati, running for re-election; Democrat Alexandria Searls and Independent Stratton Salidis.

No Republican has served on the council in more than a decade.

Nine black city high school students - an 18-year-old and eight minors - have been accused of taking part in the attacks. The adult, who was charged with malicious wounding, pleaded guilty last week to a reduced charge.

The attacks drew national attention after police said three of the suspects admitted targeting people who looked white. Two of the victims were Asian. None of the suspects will face hate-crime charges.

City officials called a news conference on Feb. 8, after a white-rights organization headed by former Klansman David Duke stirred controversy by demanding that the teens face hate crimes. In their speeches, Police Chief Timothy J. Longo and Caravati expressed concern both for the victims and suspects. And both stressed repeatedly that the topic was sensitive because it involved race. Longo also said it was too early to establish motive.

Caravati dismissed Schilling's suggestion that city leaders failed to adequately address the beatings as 'way off base.' Schilling is only being divisive and 'trying to find a point somewhere,' Caravati said.

'In every public statement I've made, I've always stressed that it was a serious crime and people are going to get punished for it,' Caravati said. 'I think the city will handle this very appropriately and handle this as a city. I think the city needs to come together. These attacks are horrible. Everybody realizes that.'

Schilling also criticized the concept of restorative justice, the idea that victims and offenders can meet face-to-face and try to restore things to how they were before a crime occurred. Supporters say it brings accountability and can help heal victims, assailants and the community.

The case of Gordon Lathan Fields, 18, who was convicted last week of assault and battery by mob in one of the attacks on University of Virginia students, may be the first ever in which a person is recommended to the city's fledgling restorative justice project.

Organizers plan to set up the program in the juvenile court by late 2002. Though Fields is an adult, Charlottesville's head prosecutor said the high school senior probably will be allowed to participate in the program instead of performing regular community service. A judge also ordered Fields to pay his victim restitution.

Schilling said he has little faith in restorative justice.

'I really think that it's nearly impossible to restore someone completely who has experienced a severe beating,' he said. 'I don't think there's such a thing as restoring someone to a pre-beating state.'

Also at Tuesday's news conference, Schilling said he is troubled that city police must pay $7 a day to park their personal cars in a city-owned lot near Garrett Square Apartments. Many officers 'cannot afford to pay well over a thousand dollars a year to park,' he said.

Schilling's comments came after he was endorsed by the 73-member Charlottesville Police Officers' Association." (Reed Williams, The Daily Progress, April 3, 2002)