Out in the open: Combating the problem of violence takes cooperation

 It is easy not to acknowledge a problem.

So, of course, when some people read about a rash of shootings in a community, the tendency is to explain it away as an anomaly, especially if you are one of the people in charge of guiding that city's future.

It would be easy to just ignore the many reports of people who have been struck by stray bullets, or to not actually count the victims and shooters who end up in the hospitals, dead or severely injured.

It is easy not to say the word "gang" even if it really looks like that is what you are seeing.

And it is easier to read about something else, something more positive.

But you can't do any of that if you are the chief of police, or the head of investigations.

And you also can't do it if you are an officer who is out patrolling the streets -- or if you are someone who has to live worried about being in the line of fire every day.

There is a problem in Goldsboro -- there, we said it -- and it begins and ends with gun violence and the gang members and criminals who cause it and perpetuate it.

And because we have a responsible acting police chief and a determined investigations chief as well as city leaders who understand they need to address this issue, you have had the chance to know, too.

Goldsboro police officers risk their lives when they answer these calls -- and they are answering more and more of them.

And they are making sure you know when they do.

And that is the first and one of the most important steps -- bringing the concern out into the open.

The neighborhoods where these shootings occur are full of concerned people, too.

They never know when a casual encounter or being in the wrong place at the wrong time might put them in the middle of a crossfire.

But the truth is some of these shootings have occurred in other areas of the city, too -- and sometimes in the middle of the afternoon when an encounter could turn deadly for any random innocent adult or child.

Stopping the rise of violence in Goldsboro requires more than a dedicated police force. To catch these gang members -- or wannabes -- and criminals who are shooting or avenging, there has to be cooperation from the community.

And it was really scary that at one of the last shootings, some of those gathered expressed their distrust of the police and the desire to handle things on their own.

That won't work -- just like it hasn't worked for decades.

Violence is a vicious circle that puts all lives in danger. It can't be stopped with more violence.

Cleaning out a community requires cooperation between the justice system and law enforcement and community members willing to stand up and take back their neighborhoods.

Open communication will get the ball rolling, but zero tolerance and support for those who are trying to end crime in our community are critical.

If you want it to change, you have to speak up -- now.

Tips matter. So, too, does information that can lead to arrests before these deaths occur.

And if that change occurs, there will be fewer families burying teenagers and young adults, and more people feeling safer in their homes and on city streets.

That is an outcome we should all insist on.

Published in Editorials on August 15, 2015 10:18 PM