CITY HELPS EX-DEALERS REFORM

Four people authorities say recently earned a living dealing drugs in the
West End neighborhood may soon answer to a new boss: the city of High Point.

The four are set to undergo drug testing today arranged by the city's Human
Resources Department. If they pass, they will start work for the High Point
Parks and Recreation Department, cleaning parks facilities, mowing lawns
and clearing debris as part of a labor crew.

Advocates say the move could help provide a fresh start for the four
suspects - all between the ages of 17 and 23 - and for the neighborhood
where police believe they plied their trade. "It would be really nice if
they took this opportunity to change," said High Point Police Lt. Larry
Casterline, who helped identify the suspects as part of the Violent Crimes
Task Force, a coalition of law enforcement officials, service agencies and
community volunteers. "(But) the end game in this is a serious reduction in
the open air drug market in West End, which brings the violence, the
prostitution, the citizens' complaints and the feeling that people aren't
safe there," he added. The four were among nine drug suspects who agreed to
appear for a voluntary meeting with the Violent Crimes Task Force at the
High Point Police Department last month. There, investigators announced
they had already compiled enough evidence against several in the group to
pursue charges, but would instead offer a choice: Stop dealing drugs in
High Point or go to prison. One woman who refused to attend, Jenitta T.
Grace, 22, received a warrant charging her with a felonious drug offense.
But those who listened also learned there were resources available to help
them go straight, including help finding new jobs, housing and educational
opportunities. Since then, six of the suspects have stuck with the program,
agreeing to undergo substance abuse programs and meeting regularly with a
resource coordinator. But when the program did not lead to jobs, organizers
turned to the city for help. City Manager Strib Boynton said the city has
been a firm supporter of the task force program since it was established in
1997 to focus on violent offenders. But he said he made up his mind at a
face-to-face meeting with the four participants. "We had a few individuals
who were really excited and eager to get with the program," Boynton said.
"I looked at them and said, 'Are you willing to work with us.' They said
yes." Consulting with John McCrary, director of human resources, city
officials settled on the parks and recreation position.

There would be plenty of supervision and limited interaction with the
public, he said. The group also will be prohibited from operating a vehicle
during the first weeks of their employment. They will earn between $6 and
$7 an hour. McCrary said he had trepidations about reversing the city's
practice against hiring those with criminal backgrounds. But he said he is
confident that the risks had been controlled. "I really hope that this will
be a success story," he said. "If they do well, who knows where the program
will go." Private businesses may follow the city's lead if they see the
program working, said Delilah Summers, the resource coordinator tapped by
the task force and another agency, High Point Community Against Violence.
Three weeks ago, she learned that two of the nine had obtained jobs on
their own. Another suspect from the call-in contacted her for the first
time on Wednesday, bringing his mother for support. Of the nine suspects,
one has landed back in jail, court records show. Lamont Alexander Pouncy
Jr., 20, of 106 Briggs Place, was arrested early this month and charged
with attempted armed robbery. Lance Benzel can be contacted at 888-3515 or
lbenzel@hpe.com