District Attorney Ben David has issued a challenge to local employers: take a chance on troubled youths.
The DA since 2004 addressed an audience of hundreds from the business and public sectors Thursday morning on the topic of combating gang violence. He said he’d soon send dozens of employers an invitation to a job fair in the works that could draw lines of unique talent.
If it’s put to good use, he suggested, the local crime scene might have fewer players.
“Some of the drug dealers that I’ve met, they’re great entrepreneurs. They’re not violent people,” David said from the Wilmington Convention Center ballroom stage.
But the “scarlet letter” of a felony record could be the spoiler for young adults wanting to turn their lives around. “They tell me, ‘Ben, if you’d just give me a shot,'” the DA related.
His vision: putting 300 “hometown kids” to work.
“Before I hear any word more about attracting business from somewhere else to come here, we’ve got to start employing some of these people,” he said, generating applause.
David’s remarks, at the latest Greater Wilmington Business Journal Power Breakfast (a series of talks from high-impact speakers, in its fifth year), tie in with the public’s heightened attention this year on violent crime in the Port City, particularly in connection with gangs.
Battling between Bloods and Crips are part of an increase this year in serious violent crimes, and of the hundreds of shots counted, according to a presentation Wilmington Chief of Police Ralph Evangelous gave the city council in October. The same night, council voted unanimously to authorize more than $142,000 from salary savings within the police department to ready a new Gang Investigative Unit. (Related story)
The Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office have also responded with a newly launched team of officers and deputies increasing a law enforcement presence in public housing communities.
Recent story: County commits deputies to public housing task force, funds seven new positions
Meanwhile, a series of community meetings has gathered clergymen, nonprofit leaders, education officials and other stakeholders to ponder the problems’ roots and possible solutions. At the last installment, Dec. 2, some attention tightened on vocational education and how to better involve at-risk students. If trained to seize job opportunities, they could find income, stability and direction they wouldn’t want to jeopardize, brainstormers said.
Related story: Communication, collaboration the focus of most recent gang-violence meeting
Putting past offenders on the right track could involve expunging records in certain cases, David said Thursday, telling lawyers in the audience he planned to recruit them to that end.
“But I’m going to need you to show some of the same mercy and grace that you’ve been shown,” he emphasized. “If they’ve done their time, it’s time to bring them back into the society.”
Existing local initiatives working to help former prisoners readjust, as well as reduce recidivism and provide young black men developmental guidance, include Leading Into New Communities Inc., or LINC, for which Wilmington City Council in November programmed additional funding assistance. (Details)
City officials at the time underlined the importance of affecting gang and youth crime not only through traditional law enforcement but also through outreach and prevention, which council members more recently hinted may be a topic for budget planning ahead.
Related stories:
City recommends no action on proposed gang ban in parks
Community meetings will brainstorm against gang problem
WPD, sheriff’s office create joint team to combat gang violence
90 day ‘cease fire’ period ends in Wilmington
Ben Brown is a news reporter at Port City Daily. Reach him at [email protected] or (910) 772-6335. On Twitter: @benbrownmedia
