Pubdate: Fri, 24 May 2002
Source: Charlotte Observer (NC)
Copyright: 2002 The Charlotte Observer
Contact:  http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/78
Author: Rev. James Barnett

SPECIAL POLICE AREN'T SOLUTION

A letter from the Rev. James Barnett:

In response to John Petrie's May 9 column, "Charlotte turns its back on 
Optimist Park":

As a person who campaigns at the grassroots level, most of the time I read 
an attack on city leaders with great joy, because most of the time the 
writer is right. However, this time I disagree with some of what has been 
printed, and to say nothing will do great harm in the future.

First, let me address who turned their backs on Optimist Park. I have 
worked with Pauline Simuels, vice president of Optimist Park, for over 10 
years and later with Linda Williams. The two have led the war on drugs and 
violence alone for years. I first blame the residents of Optimist Park for 
not supporting those who have taken a stand. To win back a community, the 
first thing needed is a show of support from within. If just 25 percent of 
the good people of any community take a stand, that community can rid 
itself of drugs and violence. There are a number of communities and streets 
in the black community that drug dealers do not enter. Why? Because they 
know the residents won't stand for it.

After the residents take a stand, they need those outside the target area 
to stand with them. In most cases we stand outside and blame others for 
doing nothing. Most of those who live outside of the area feel that the 
problem is a poor people's problem or a black problem. When was the last 
time a poor community took a stand and others came to support it? We send 
millions overseas for others, yet we won't send one dime across town for 
the poor.

We must also blame the parents who have done a poor job with their 
children. The young man on the street corner is someone's son. Too many of 
us now are afraid of our own children.

I put most of the blame in the faith-based arena. The war on drugs and 
violence must be fought in the spiritual arena. Our spiritual leaders are 
going before the government asking, "What are you going to do?" For 12 
years, the "Stop The Killing" Crusade has begged for support from churches 
in the target area. Fewer than 10 churches support the campaign 
financially. Yet we see our spiritual leaders demanding that government pay 
city workers more, taking a stand on the Confederate flag, campaigning for 
or against a new arena.

The city has failed by not holding up that which will work. A number of 
communities have won the war on drugs and violence or have made their 
community better. That which works should be held as a model. When we fail 
to give hope, residents look for hope in other things.

This brings us to special police. Residents need to take a stand and demand 
that city law enforcement do what they ask. There is power in unity.

If the community won't take a stand, special police cannot solve the 
problem. Most drug dealers stand on street corners, sidewalks and in 
community parks, where private security officers have no jurisdiction. 
Special police cannot enforce laws on public streets or highways that pass 
through the area where they contracted to provide security.

The call for special police has caused problems for the "Stop The Killing" 
Crusade. On June 1, we are to kick off a campaign to fight drugs and 
violence this summer. We had seven communities ready to take a stand. We 
have lost two. This is due to the fact that the "Stop The Killing" Crusade 
believes in using what we have to get what we need. Law enforcement works 
for us. We must tell them what we want and demand that they do it.

Never have I seen a community come together and get nothing done. We are 
ready to work with communities that will take a stand and become the eyes 
and ears of law enforcement. To win back your community, it takes unity 
from within, support from outsiders, law enforcement working with the 
residents, government support and, most of all, support from the faith 
community.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens