On to today's post...
My story for Tuesday, which aired during our 6 p.m. newscast (you can watch it online by clicking on that link!), deals with the war on gang activity. The Governor's Crime Commission is handing out $1.5 million in grant money to law enforcement agencies in the east, including those in Kinston, New Bern, Lenoir County, Rocky Mount, Duplin County, Wilson, Wayne County, Tarboro, Goldsboro, Harnett County and several others. The press release says the money "will be used for initiatives such as: campaigns to help schools, law enforcement and the public identify and prevent gang activity; providing safe locations for teens to gather; removing gang graffiti; and developing a database to track, analyze and report gang activity at local and state levels."
My story deals with Kinston, a city that saw five murders in 2006 (that's two more than an average year). I spoke with Public Safety Chief Greg Smith about how his department plans to spend about $133,000 in money it's receiving. To add some flavor to the story, I wanted to interview him in an area of the city that's seen a lot of problems. He took me to the Simon Bright neighborhood, where the department has installed surveillance cameras to record what goes on there -- and hopefully reduce the amount of crime.
He says the department plans on spending some of the money on more cameras for other parts of the city. Other monies will go toward setting up email systems for each police officer, so that people who live in their assigned "zones" will be able to contact them easily and keep them updated on what's going on in the neighborhood.
But the lion's share of the money will go toward the development of a community center -- they're calling it The GATE. It sounds like a great idea.
"This center will be for young people to come to," Chief Smith says. "There will be GED labs set up in the facility. There will be ability for kids to do some recreation, some fellowship together."
It's part of stopping the gang violence before it starts -- if police can prevent folks from joining gangs, in theory at least, they'll eventually fizzle.
What happened while Chief Smith and I were talking in Simon Bright is the perfect illustration as to why Kinston -- and every other community -- needs a center like The GATE. As we set up the interview on the sidewalk, kids kept coming out of the woodwork, clamoring for our attention. Part of that has to do with the presence of a television camera -- without fail, when you whip out a TV camera, it either drives people away or draws them to it like a magnet. In this case, the kids were magnetized.But more than anything, they just wanted our attention. They wanted someone to look at them, someone to watch them play, someone to interact with. Kids today are starved for attention. Unfortunately, our youth can find the attention they so desperately crave in a gang. We (the media) pay close attention to gangs. They're the focus of police. And within the communities themselves, gangs draw all sorts of recognition.
Hopefully a community center like the one Kinston has in the works will serve its intended purpose. Those kids need a safe play to go do their homework. They need a safe place to play, and they need someone to pay them some attention. For one reason or another, they're not getting that at home. Here's to hoping Kinston's plan pays off -- and keeps kids off the streets, out of gangs and in the classroom.
"It will be a slow process," Chief Smith says. "We won't solve everything that's going on in our community overnight. However, in time, I think we are going to see some great gains here."
For the sake of the public's safety -- and especially for the future of those kids -- I hope he's right.
Questions? Comments? Add your own voice to the discussion! Just click the "Comments" button below and fill out the form!
2 comments:
Keep up the good work little brother. I enjoy watching your stories on the internet and reading more about them here.
Great story. I hope these ideas work for the city of kinston. IF they don't work on the THUG parents of these children i'm afraid nothing can stop the effects. Parents lead by example. Kinston is one of the worse places for watching parents treat there children like little THUGS and think it is ok. NO RESPECT is taught. Get what you can get. Another idea think about this for a second. What did you have to do to get the job you have to pay taxes for a good portion of the people living on our goverment today. You had to pass a criminal background check as well a DRUG TEST!!! Why is there no check system for the people living off our money??? Clean up the getto's. It's been the idea since the 70's at least. Nothing will change unless the people that are living there make the change. I have seen zero attempts by the people there. Sinking more money in a already sinking ship is not the way to go. I for one am tired of my money going to let some of them sit around and have more kids for us to pay for with no signs of getting up and doing anything back for the community. A few years ago, it was mentioned for those able living on public assistance to give back to the comunity that was paying there bills. Hell broke loose saying it was just a way to get slave labor back. Look it up, you guys did several reports on it. How is it slave labor if you are getting something in return. It's about helping someone else. Give back to the community instead of take take take. Witch is what this new center will be all about. I hope if it is opened not only the kids of the community but parents will become involved and see that if they put there hearts and hands back into the community that does so much for them the rewards will be endless. I was watching a tv program the other day that everyone should remember not only those who get help but those who could be giving. Look at your blessing and pass them on. Never let an opportunity to help someone slip by because you may be the one on the side of the road needing that same help later. It's called pay it forward. Everyone could and should be nicer to one another. That's where it needs to start. Thank's for reading. Sorry it was so long but, that's just the way i feel.
Post a Comment