“Real Talk is an initiative by Dr. Charles McCollum,” Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp said. “It gives the opportunity for the public to interact with law enforcement, talk about issues. It’s better for everyone to go home safe and teaches there are appropriate times for complaints.”
For McCollum, who has already held as many as seven of the events throughout the county, the aim is to de-escalate situations before they lead to more serious consequences. “Save it until you get back home, get with your parents.”
(The event will be held Thursday, October 27, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event will be hosted and moderated by the McCullom and panelists will include HCC President Ervin V. Griffin, HCC English instructor Gary Redding, Tripp, and HCC Board of Trustees Chair Michael Felt)
McCollum said law enforcement has stood beside him in the Real Talk sessions. “We’ve been able to gain support from churches to schools. It’s been well received.”
The sessions have been geared to young people, McCollum said. “Now let’s take it to the whole community. Hopefully more people will come. We especially want to target young people. We want everyone to get home safe, officers, grown folks. Let’s get home safe so we can discuss it tomorrow.”
The college said in a statement the Saving Our Sons and Daughters session is designed to foster dialogue between community leaders and residents about the issues that are facing their communities.
From race relations to law enforcement, the session will allow residents to ask the difficult questions, and will allow community leaders to give the difficult answers.
A key focus of the session is to provide a safe space for meaningful conversations, the college said.
The initiative developed in an attempt to foster better relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. “Utilizing the knowledge and experience of our community leaders, the goal is now for everyone to get home safe, as communities come together for peace and justice.”
