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Thursday, September 18, 2008 10:33 AM Residents rally to clean up Snowden By Gina Childress | Times Staff Writer Former gang member Mike Clanton's commitment to cleaning up and aiding the Snowden and Birchwood Drive area hasn't waned since he began working on it about a month ago. Clanton, a member of My Brother's Keeper and pastor of Antioch Outreach Ministries, held a meeting Wednesday at Suggs Christian Temple Church, which is around the corner from Snowden Drive. "I'm glad you were bold enough to step out and commit yourselves," he told the crowd of about 10 residents during his opening remarks. "We have to start somewhere, and I have dedicated myself to this and I'm not going to stop until we reach our goal." To begin the meeting, Capt. C. Smith of the Wilson Police Department and some of the patrol officers assigned to work in the area showed the Juvenile Gang Initiative presentation. That presentation is a frank and honest look at some of the problems in the entire Wilson community -- not just in the Snowden Drive area. During the PowerPoint presentation, you could hear gasps and comments of disbelief from the audience. Smith told the residents during the presentation that a lot of crimes are being committed by younger and younger offenders. "We can hold them responsible for what they do," he said. "But we as a community and as a police department are not going to be able to 'arrest' ourselves out of this situation." Smith said there is hope in curbing the problems of the community, but it is going to take more than the police department to effect change. "There is hope," he said. "But it is going to take all of us together to make it happen." Alfonzo Howard, a Snowden Drive resident, agreed with Smith, saying that it would take more than the police department to make an impact. "We have to take the initiative ourselves as a community," he said. Howell Barnes, another Snowden Drive resident, said he teaches his son right from wrong not only because it is the correct thing to do, he also does it for the community. "We all are a part of the community," he said. "It is everyone's responsibility to make things right." Barnes went on to talk about the rules he has in place for his 15-year-old son. "He doesn't understand why he can't be out at night when it gets dark," Barnes said. "First of all, I tell him because I said so. And second, it is not that I don't trust him, I don't trust the streets. There are too many things he can get involved in out there." Barnes said he is not only concerned about his child's welfare but he is also concerned as a parent for the other juveniles in the neighborhood. "It is going to take more than a handful of people to make these changes," he said. "Most of the people over here are not bad people, they are just too scared to get involved." Smith agreed, saying that some of the problems that happen in the neighborhood come from people who are allowed by residents to just "hang out." During the frank discussion about the situation in the neighborhood, residents commended the efforts of My Brother's Keeper and the Police Department. Howard said he would like to see a police substation in the area. "One of these apartments that isn't being rented could be turned into a police substation," he said. "Maybe that would help some of what's going on over here. Or at least be a start." Clanton closed the meeting by assuring those in attendance that his commitment to the area was strong and his resolve would not be tested. "I'm here to stay," he said. "I've been threatened before, but I'm not going anywhere. Enough is enough, and it is time we stand up as a community and face this thing head on. It's going to take a lot of work and it is not going to happen overnight." gina@wilsontimes.com | 265-7821 |
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