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GREENSBORO â Facing a troubling surge in violent crime and a growing population, city officials have suggested that the police department add 16 more sworn officers to its ranks.
Itâs just one of many suggestions being bandied about to help Greensboro police fight what seems, at the moment, to be a losing battle. Homicides are at a record level, and officials are grasping for ways to stem the tide of violence.
More officers on the street would be a start. The department is short about 40 sworn officers at the moment.
Just one problem, according to a new city report: Itâs not easy to find people who want to be police officers.
It starts with communication. Without it, tensions build. Author: Jaelen Gilkey Updated: 10:27 AM EST March 13, 2021
GREENSBORO, N.C. Relationships take a lot work, dedication and persistence. It s no secret that the relationships between law enforcement and several different communities around the country need improvement.
It s especially true between the black community and law enforcement.
In 2020, tensions boiled and, in some cases, spilled over across the nation.
However, it s going to take more than conversation to fix this relationship; it takes action. It will take more than action from only one organization, group, or law enforcement agency. It s going to take each and every member of our community. Including you at home reading this.
In 2019, there were 45 victims of homicide. Again, there were 61 total this year.
Jess Winters went on to ask James at a recent news conference if he would have done anything differently. I could say I would have directed more resources toward tactical units. It s really hard to say that because you just don t know what s coming, James explained. We made the best decision we could with the information we had. Looking back, yeah, there are probably things we could ve done differently but that s very difficult to determine.
In a year filled with so many challenges for the department, like the pandemic and summer protests surrounding social injustices, Chief James is looking ahead to 2021 solutions.
Staff Reports
The coronavirus pandemic derailed a lot of plans in 2020 and it looks to have a continued effect heading into 2021. Here are our predictions for what to expect in Guilford County, from government and education to sports and arts and entertainment.Â
Guilford County
With a new 7-2 Democratic majority on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners and a new county manager, expect county government to take a turn toward progressive action.Â
Days after the new majority was sworn in early in December, new Chairman Melvin Skip Alston said the board will make the coronavirus pandemic its top priority from economic relief programs to making sure enough money is available to deploy as many COVID-19 vaccines as the county has to offer.Â