Roundtable offers citizens a voice
By Melody Brown-Peyton
Published in News on August 2, 2018 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Francine Smith, Rebuilding Broken Places program manager, asks Goldsboro Police Chief Mike West what factors attributed to lower violent crime rates this year, during a Tuesday night roundtable.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Goldsboro Police Chief Mike West talks about the state of his department during a roundtable discussion Tuesday at Rebuilding Broken Places.
Concerned citizens, along with Goldsboro Police Chief Mike West and Goldsboro Fire Chief John Dixon, came together on Tuesday for a roundtable talk at Rebuilding Broken Places on William Street.
The event -- the third of its kind since Operation Unite Goldsboro leader Mark Colebrook started the discussions in mid-2017 -- was an opportunity for local residents to share their concerns with authorities.
Around 35 community members attended the discussion.
Citizens shared their frustration with city councilmen and county commissioners for not making time to attend the community meetings.
"Our elected officials cannot continue to make decisions for a community that they do not know," Colebrook said.
"We are challenging our elected officials to come hear from the people and not only go to the high-profile meetings, like the Chamber of Commerce, out-of-town meetings and Seymour Johnson meetings. We count too."
West said that, while overall crime in the city is about the same as last year, violent crime is down and homicides are at zero.
"The community is providing some good information in some cases and with changing strategies, putting personnel in key places and the continued hard work of the officers is the reason I believe violent crime is down," he said.
West also noted that the department has 13 vacancies, and that it is often challenged with obtaining a diverse pool of applicants. Eight percent of Goldsboro's police officers are African Americans, West said.
One of the things the department is looking to implement is involving citizens on the hiring boards and a possible promotions board.
West also said that 63 validated gang members have been identified as operating in Goldsboro.
West added that the roundtable meetings have been a boon to the community and the police department.
"I think the roundtable meetings help and are beneficial to the community and to me, as the police chief," West said.
"Although the dialog is sometimes difficult and hard-hitting, it's the conversation and, sometimes, just the listening that is helping the community and the police department to come together."
West acknowledged that there is more work to be done, and said that he, along with his officers, are committed to serving all of the citizens of Goldsboro. West said that his department has received close to 90 body cameras, and he expects to have the cameras in operation soon.
During the event, Goldsboro's new Fire Chief John Dixon introduced himself and shared his vision for the fire department.
"The community can expect more visibility from the fire department in the community, "Dixon said. "I believe in a huge community presence."