Police, community send message to repeat offenders
By Melody Brown-Peyton
Published in News on March 22, 2018 5:50 AM
The Goldsboro Partners Against Crime offered some of Wayne County's hardened criminals a second chance during a call-in at Goldsboro City Hall Tuesday.
Eighteen men, who are on probation and have been charged with repeated violent crimes, heard from law enforcement, attorneys, an ex-offender and victims of violent crimes.
The men were told if they continued on the same path, there would be consequences, including lengthy prison sentences.
Lisa Tindal, who went to prison 10 times, urged offenders to make a turnaround.
"I'm the most known convicted felon in this room," Tindal said. "I'm the only one left in my circle of friends that is not dead or still behind bars."
She has been drug free for two years, and now spends most of her time speaking to offenders, in hopes that her message will keep them from traveling down the same path.
Tindal said that her turning point was her last three months in prison.
"I had enough time to sit in my cell and reflect on the person that I had been and the time that I lost," she said. "God dealt with me."
She told the offenders they are worth being saved and could walk out of the meeting and turn their lives around.
"I will do all that I can to help you get yourself together," Tindal said. "I will do nothing to keep you living like you are now."
Also speaking to the group was Teresa Cox, who lost her son Raymond Parker Jr. at the age of 21 -- 13 years ago -- to gun violence.
She spoke through tears as she described the day her son was tragically taken away from her.
"The hardest thing in the world is to lose a child," Cox said. "Your children are supposed to bury you. You are not supposed to bury them."
She also urged the offenders to make a change.
"You all have an opportunity that is given to you tonight, and I pray on my son's life that you will take what they are giving you and turn your life around," Cox said.
Craig Doubt, who also lost a child to violence, said his son, Craig Doubt III, died at the age of 18, just 22 days before his 19th birthday.
Doubt asked the men who are on probation to stand if they are fathers. Then, while holding up a T-shirt with a picture of his son, he shared how difficult the loss has been.
"Nothing hurts like losing your child." Doubt said.
He also told the men that nothing else is more important than raising their children.
"If you are not on the job working, then be on the job that matters the most -- raising your kids," he said.
Goldsboro Police Chief Mike West addressed the men and told them the night was about fairness.
"I don't care what is on your rap sheet," West said. "You are a member of this community, a valuable member of this community.
"I'm here to help you get back on track. I don't want to see you again unless it's helping out in the community."
Pastor Marvin Alexander, executive director of the Mephibosheth Project, also offered help. The organization can provide offenders with job placement assistance, educational services and mentoring, he said.
Goldsboro Partners Against Crime, which holds regular call-ins throughout the year, has brought in more than 300 offenders since the program's start in 2013.
The GPAC call-in is a program that requires people on probation and charged with repeated violent crimes, involving drugs or weapons, to hear warnings from local, state and federal law enforcement officers.