The cross-section of people on Halifax County Sheriff Wes Tripp's first citizens advisory panel have varying reasons for wanting to serve. In the end it comes down to making the county better.
The panel had its organizational meeting today in Halifax. In making introductions, several of the members had compelling reasons for wanting to take part.
“We need to clean the county up and everybody be brothers and sisters,” said the Reverend Andrew West of the White Oak community.
For Yvonne Solomon, it was about coming up with solutions in North Carolina's weak mental health system while W.C. Crickmore said, “I want to be involved and want my county to be best place to live.”
Florine Bell, who has long been involved with issues in the Lincoln Heights community, told Tripp and Chief Deputy Bruce Temple, “Having lived in Baltimore, I learned to recognize crime on the streets. I never thought I would see the day crack cocaine would become a part of our streets.”
One individual on the committee is concerned about the heroin problem. “We're in pretty bad shape. I didn't realize about how heroin is running rampant. I want to see what I can do to help make the county a better place to live.”
Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith sent an investigator, John Jenkins to observe. “He likes what you are doing here. He's thinking of doing the same thing in our community.”
Will Richardson represents the Hollister community. “The county can't do it all by themselves,” he said. “We have to be their eyes and ears out here.”
Frank Avent, who is from Hobgood and serves on the Halifax Development Commission, sees an economic angle in lowering crime in the county. “You've heard me say working together works. It's not just a slogan, it's actuality. If we can work together we can get a lot accomplished. We're trying to bring good jobs, to do that we have to have a good sheriff’s office.”
The Reverend C.E. McCollum, who has pastored Oak Grove Baptist Church for 40 years and Piney Grove Baptist Church for 38, said he wants to see fair and equitable treatment for all people and has started a Real Talk program that crosses racial lines. “I'm invested in this community,” he said. “I want to see fair and equitable treatment to all people.”
Having worked in prison education for 30 years, McCollum, who will chair the panel, said, “When I see so many lined up to go to the court system, we need to make an impact any way we can.”
Lenne Ward grew up in Enfield, left and came back 10 years ago to make a difference, she said. “It was nothing like when I was growing up. I'm a concerned and active citizen in Enfield. We're dealing with a lack of police officers. We've really been hit hard. There are plenty of days we don't have any officers. The citizens are feeling they're alone. Anything I can do to help I'm here. I do believe it will get better.”
For the Reverend O.D. Sykes, part of his reason for being on the panel is personal. “My nephew was murdered shortly after Sheriff Wes Tripp was elected,” he said, referring to the Derrick Arp case. “We were in contact. He did everything he could to help us.”
Sykes wants to search for solutions to stem the tide of crime in the community. “There's so much crime, so many murders but we can make it a good place to live.”
The aim of the sheriff's office, Tripp said, is to listen to that advice. “I work for you,” he said. “I think it's important for you to give us advice on how to better serve you.”
Temple said one of the next steps is for members of the panel to tour the sheriff's office. “The short-term goal is to introduce you to the sheriff's office. You can't advise us if you don't know us.”
