TBON: Crime is Down, Life is Better

Eight years have passed since “Taking Back Our Neighborhoods” (TBON) focused on 10 of the most violent-crime areas in Charlotte, NC. The impact has been striking: Crime is down and quality of life has dramatically improved in at least eight of the neighborhoods, local leaders said in recent interviews.

There was resounding agreement that TBON – a joint effort by The Charlotte Observer, ABC affiliate WSOC-TV and radio stations WPEG and WBAV – prompted major changes that are visible today despite significant leadership challenges.

As the project’s community coordinator, I was the liaison, helping the media, volunteers and the community identify and focus on solutions.

The paper analyzed crime statistics, then held “listening sessions” in nine of the communities, followed by town meetings. The reporting, with residents’ input, was published in major special reports, coordinated with the broadcast partners. Each report included an itemized “needs” list from the individual neighborhoods plus a success story from another neighborhood that had turned around.

The civic-journalism approach prompted hundreds of volunteers to donate time, talent and money. The city of Charlotte made infrastructure and housing improvements. Residents took more pride in their neighborhoods and became more active. Many neighborhoods – and elected officials – started hosting their own town meetings.

Here are some neighborhood updates:

Seversville got its Neighborhood Center, now attached to a local school and sharing the gym. There’s a new medical center. And the neighborhood has won numerous honors for beautification and other accomplishments.

LEFT: Juanita Crawford, secretary/treasurer of the Seversville Community Organization, recognizes the neighborhood’s “Yard of the Month.”

In Wingate, the city put in new housing units and tore down dilapidated structures. A park is planned. An after-school program has been operating since 1995. Police and the city’s Neighborhood Development department have partnered to keep Wingate safer. “The TBON project changed people inside and outside of the community,” said former neighborhood president Darlene Boyd. “It showed us how we could tune into stuff. It took the city so long to notice Wingate.”

Commonwealth Morningside has a new park with equipment and a shelter with heat and air conditioning. Lawyers volunteered to remove graffiti. “The TBON project woke people up and got them more involved,” said neighborhood leader Sarah Rhodes. “The neighborhood has more pride.”

Druid Hills reports it now has new streets, sidewalks, lights, signs and speed bumps. The neighborhood organization partners with Druid Hills Elementary school to hold meetings. The city has also sponsored a neighborhood symposium, but leadership is still an issue.

In Parkview, once considered too dangerous to walk the streets, a house and two acres of land have been donated for a community center. Local leader Gwendolyn Brown-Johnson coordinates many activities for children. A golf tournament was held as a fundraiser for a new neighborhood center.

In Lakewood, the First Presbyterian church has built a preschool center. Habitat for Humanity and the Charlotte Housing Partnership have built new homes. TBON raised awareness and helped drive community support, but “leadership and community organization are still challenges,” says Dave Nichols, local community development leader.

Belmont reports a significant decrease in crime. The city used housing code violations to tear down problem housing and Habitat has built 200 new homes. The city recently allocated $156,000 for a Belmont revitalization plan. Resident Linda Bolton credits TBON for lowering street drug sales. “Street corners were cleaned off, and even now most corners remain clean.” Still, she sees the neighborhood’s leadership as fractured. And Bert Green, Charlotte’s Habitat director, says some of the drug dealers have simply moved to nearby neighborhoods.

Reid Park has seen infrastructure improvements, housing development and more resident involvement. “TBON highlighted the challenges associated with the community. The open forum and dialogue created a mechanism to develop strategic plans and goals to improve the quality of life,” said local leader Rickey Hall. “People got a sense that real change was possible if you work together collectively. It’s a work in progress.”

TBON triggered many partnerships between residents, schools, churches and local police. But drug dealers continue to neighborhood hop and the neighborhoods’ recurring test is to develop future leaders to keep the neighborhoods stable, city and local leaders agree.

Still, the civic journalism initiative is credited with launching a myriad of changes and helping residents improve the quality of life.

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Charlene Price-Patterson, a community relations consultant, can be reached at ccprice3@aol.com, 704-598-6242, www.pricepattersoncommunications.com.