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.