WS Chronicle

While making a presentation to the Public Safety Committee last week, Chief Catrina Thompson with the Winston-Salem Police Department said the only way to curb the recent rise in violent crimes in the area is by coming together and working as a community. She said, “We face few challenges more urgent than gun violence and we are committed to working with partners to tackle violence in a way that people can feel safe in our city.”

Although violent crimes have been on the rise in the city since 2015, this year there has been a significant increase in the number of reported shootings and incidents involving firearms. This year the WSPD has been called to investigate 1,700 shots being fired and 776 guns have been collected, which is equivalent to about two guns seized every day. 

In response to the gun violence in the community, on Thursday, Nov. 17,  I.C.A.R.E. (Individuals Caring About Rehabilitation Education), a local nonprofit that offers substance abuse treatment, vocational training, academic opportunities and other services, invited the community to come together to talk about the issue and come up with solid solutions. 

Headlined by a panel discussion moderated by I.C.A.R.E. chief executive Sabrina Robinson, the event was held at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Center, 1450 Fairchild Road, and drew a large crowd of nearly 50 people. Panelists included Rev. Dr. Richard Gray, Khalid Griggs, William Hubbard, County Commissioner Fleming El Amin, Assistant Chief William Penn, Shela Muhammad and Earline Watt.

Before listening to suggestions from the dozens of people in attendance, the panelists gave their thoughts on ways to curb the rise in senseless violence. Although each panelist had their own opinions on why we’ve seen a rise in gun violence, whether it is economics, issues in the home, or lack of education, everyone seemed to circle back to the same conclusion: It’s going to take a community-wide effort to fix it.   

Khalid Griggs, who is a native of Winston-Salem and known for his work in education and efforts to uplift the community, said one of the issues we face as a community is “self-separation.” Griggs said, “As a community, we have to come together. 

“The crimes of separation that we do to each other is not serving this community and if we are a part of any of that, let’s get out of it for the sake of our children.”