Williams: Finding the will to stop the cycle of violence in Fayetteville
Earlier this month, a shooting led to a car crashing into the swimming pool at Smith Recreation Center.
According to the Fayetteville Police Department, family and friends were gathered Aug. 2 for a balloon release in memory of 22-year-old Lorenzo McLaughlin Jr., who was shot and killed in the nearby Broadell subdivision. As the event ended, an altercation broke out and gunshots were fired.
Fortunately, no one was killed, but the car’s driver was shot and it was a scary experience for witnesses.
Fayetteville Police Chief Kemberle Braden said, "We are experiencing a cycle of violence that our community has the power to stop." I agree with Chief Braden. Our community does have the power, but the question remains whether we have the will. Like many other cities, Fayetteville has to cope with increased homicides and other violent crimes.
A couple of years ago, the Council on Criminal Justice launched some guidance for police leaders to curb violence.
Some of the strategy highlights included:
— Focused Deterrence, which is an effective strategy, but it must be carried out in collaboration with the community. Boston reduced youth homicide by 63% using Focused Deterrence.
— Proactive Policing, which focuses on preventing crimes, not reacting to them.
— Targeting illegal gun-carrying, a precursor to gun violence. Targeting illegal guns can help reduce violence.
— Boosting shooting clearance rates.
— Building community trust between the police and residents is essential to a free and safe society.
The Kansas City Star reported on the unique response of African American morticians using their voices for change to stop the violence they see claiming too many lives in their communities. Funeral home directors are the last responders that bear witness to the carnage.
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Funeral directors nationwide are addressing the violence on social media and at peace rallies. They say the violence is spilling over into their workplace. An 18-year-old man was killed outside a church in High Point during a "violent and brazen" attack that began when drive-by shooters targeted funeral mourners, who then fired back. A similar incident happened at the Conference "A" Free Will Baptist Headquarters in Erwin following a funeral attended by rival gangs. Shots were fired outside the building after the service, but no one was injured. Incidents like these have a growing number of Black funeral home directors across the country speaking out and taking action.
Mimicking the 1970s "Scared Straight" programs used throughout the United States as a means of deterring juvenile crime by troubled teens visiting adult prisons, morticians are employing their updated version of "Scared Straight" by inviting parents and their youngsters to take a seat in their offices — and plan the youngster's funerals. I hope it makes a difference. The senseless killings have to stop. Murder does irreparable damage to families. I know. Friday was the anniversary of my youngest brother’s murder in Washington, D.C. in 2011.
Chief Braden is right, "It will take the cooperation of our community to help solve this crime [Seabrook Park incident] and prevent future acts of violence."
Troy Williams is a member of The Fayetteville Observer Community Advisory Board. He is a legal analyst and criminal defense investigator. He can be reached at talk2troywilliams@yahoo.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Troy Williams: Finding the will to stop the violence in Fayetteville
