Sheila Pratt organized the group. "I wanted to talk about one or two things that I feel are holding this community hostage," she said. "All of us know people who have had their homes broken into more than once within the past year. We want to try and empower them, and I believe we can do it."
Pratt shared that back in the 1990s, she had suffered a spinal injury that left her no longer able to work. She was afraid that she would end up homeless and unemployed, but then had what she called "a spiritual experience," which led her to realize that no man has the power over her to make her live in fear. She asked those in the small audience to remember that as the group moves forward.
Pratt invited Wadesboro Police Chief Janie Schutz to talk with the group and offer advice on how to start a community watch group.
"Though I may be only the police chief in Wadesboro," she told the group, "what happens there also affects you all."
Schutz said that when she first came to Wadesboro last year, she was surprised that the town had more crime than she'd seen anywhere in her 22-year law enforcement career. "I had said that you could've picked any Friday or Saturday night, and have the 'COPS' TV show come in and everything they need for the TV show, they could've had in one night," she said. "It was scary."
However, in a little less than a year, she said she feels she's made a difference in Wadesboro, with help from the community and business owners— and she feels the same can be done in Morven.
With a force of 26 officers, there are usually four officers on duty at any given time and Schutz said that's not nearly enough to deal with the crime in Wadesboro. "Morven has it rough, no doubt," she admitted, adding that she first came to the town on a murder investigation.
"The problem with Morven is that you've got one police chief, and you're in the process of getting a full-time officer," Schutz said, adding that "full time" in this case means 12 hours a day.
She suggested that Morven start a community watch, and start what she calls "community policing." That doesn't mean average citizens should try to handle criminals with guns, she cautioned. "That means you're fed up with the bad guys in Morven," she said. "It's going to take organization. It's going to take community leaders... you're going to sit down and say, 'what are our biggest problems?'"
The group may start with the problem of what Schutz calls "bad guys" that hang out in front of Morven's convenience stores. Wadesboro used to have the same problem, she explained, but the town implemented an ordinance making it illegal for people to loiter outside local businesses. To do that, the police needed the cooperation of the business owners and the town council, she pointed out.
"The eyes and the ears that you all have as residents, that becomes crucial to making a program like this work," Schutz said.
One citizen suggested having certain people serve as "community security guards" but Schutz quickly shot down that idea. "I would never tell you to do that at this point because of the dangers," she said. "The fact is, if you interrupt a deal at the wrong time, they're going to hurt you. ... Leave it in the hands of the police."
She added that many people in the community know who is committing break-ins and other crimes in Morven, but often will not turn in a friend or family member.
Rev. Greg Bennett posed the question that if a convenience store owner refused to serve the thugs that hang out in front of his store, how could he avoid also eliminating the business that the thugs provide for his store?
"It comes down to, at some point, taking that thing we call a stand," Schutz responded. "You've got to have your store owners on board."
Schutz admitted that starting a community watch may not completely solve the problems, but said it was a good start.
Mayor Carolyn Solomon remained quiet during the meeting but said she was "sitting back and thanking God" for the turnout and for the new full-time officer that's coming on board soon. "This is a tremendously large group," she said. "I'm just here to absorb and give input."
The group is planning another meeting in the near future and may invite Sheriff Tommy Allen to attend. Details will be announced as they become available.
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