Greensboro Police Chief Brian James held a press conference Monday, Nov. 30 to address the dramatic increase in violent crime this year.
James said, “In the City of Greensboro we currently have 56 homicides, more than we have ever had, with a month left in the year. Of those victims, six are white, three are Hispanic and 47 are African American. I, every officer, and civilian employee of the Greensboro Police Department find those numbers unacceptable and are working diligently to address this problem.”
In 2019, Greensboro set a new homicide record with 45, and in 2018 there were a total of 38 homicides in Greensboro.
James, who became chief on Feb. 1 of this year, said that in May he reorganized the department “with a goal to increase efficiency and to specifically address violent crime.”
He noted that so far this year the police have removed over 1,000 guns from the streets, but along with the 56 homicides there have been 1,190 assaults involving firearms, which is a 19 percent increase over the same period in 2019.
James said, “Although we are yielding results through enforcement efforts, this is clearly no enough and we are continuing to review our efforts to determine what we need to do differently.”
In answer to a question, James said that the efforts to reach out to the community had been hampered by the coronavirus restrictions that discourage the kind of one-on-one contact that is needed to gain community confidence.
James also said that they were looking at the resources the Police Department has and asking the question, “Do we actually have enough police resources for a city this size?” But he said the police couldn’t solve the problem along and needed help from the community.
James said, “This is a community problem and will require a community response. We as an organization have reached out to groups comprised of resources from other city departments, organizations and individuals that will look at ways we can begin to assess what issues may lead to violent crime and find ways to address those deeper issues. While police are responsible for responding to violent crime, we as a community must address those factors that lead to violent crime. Many of those factors are rooted in access to employment, housing, education, health care and mental health care to name a few.”
James noted that the people involved in the surge of violent crimes tend to be younger and that only a few years ago many were in middle school. He said, “How do you get from middle school to carrying a gun and trying to shoot someone?”
Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Councilmembers Marikay Abuzuaiter, Sharon Hightower and Goldie Wells all spoke at the press conference and asked for the community’s help.
Time for some truth the blame squarely belongs on the mayor and city council for there liberal bs. It’s simple Nancy you and the council need to get out of the way and allow GPD to do their jobs. This is not a liberal utopia this is Greensboro North Carolina . 56 lives lost is not excuse able. It all falls on you. Citizens of Greensboro it’s time for a leadership change
Amen brother,,, but they won’t get out of the way. For some reason, those that you mentioned and others feel like they know so much more on how to handle police things than our very highly trained police force. They should just stick with running the finances of our city cause that’s where they exceed all expectations. Sorry, my fingers almost wouldn’t type that last sentence, worst group of people I have ever seen running a city of any size. All need to be voted out.
We are seeing a rise in crime rates — including homicide — among our youth. Seems to me that our youth have more time on their hands now that they have not been in school for almost a year. Has that even occurred to our city, county and school leaders? Just stating the obvious.
No mention of family guidance!
This is nothing new, GANG activity! Simply stated, yes our city officials & GPD have chosen to ignore FACTS. The problem starts with high officials picking & choosing who to prosecute. The young black males, fill the jails with them, Black genocide. Meanwhile back at the ranch hourly commercials run for homecare services, while our citizens are staging murders diverting from underly business fraud. We the citizens of Greensboro have known who really runs our city & it’s not the Mayor, or GPD. OPEN YOUR EYES, TAKE OUR CITY BACK, TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT’S GOING AROUND US.
Are you suggesting “black genocide” right here on the Rhino Times?
Mayor Nancy, I have a suggestion or two: Leave the Chief alone so that he can enforce the laws on the books; more money for the GPD so they can hire and train more officers on the street. All felons should be prosecuted and jailed.
THAT will get us the result we want, not throwing money at feel-good C*(P,
47 Blacks have been murdered in Greensboro in past 11 months!!!!!
Where are the BLM protesters? I thought Black Lives Mattered?
Apparently not.
I can tell you how a middle schooler goes to murdering someone: permitted and encouraged to disrepect teachers and others in authority, spit on police, and taught to hate by their parents. The blame lies on the parent who permits and encourages this behavior in their children as well as those who have children they can not provide for financially or emotionally. By not teaching moral behavior but immoral and angry behaviors, these children have no hope and will continue the cycle of poverty and entitlement – which thankfully our newly elected leaders will encourage! By the way, the Chief’s mask isn’t covering his nose in the photo. Who is going to fine him for improperly wearing his mask, Skip?
Nancy and the “defund the police” council are the ones with the blood of our citizens on their hands. You want to direct police activities in high crime neighborhoods. How’s that working for you? It is time you start listening to those who work the streets everyday. Not those who sit on their behinds who are more worried about loosing a vote or not being politically correct. Example-$500,000 + $399,000 GIVEN to a city councilwoman who does not have to account for our tax dollars. This money should have been used instead to hire more police, restart the gang unit street crimes division. Until the citizens decide to work with the police or take back their neighborhoods, the unfortunate murder rates will continue to increase providing an unfavorable review to companies that may want to relocate.
How many more citizens have to die before this council does what is required versus what is politically correct? Chief it is time you take back control of your department. Wells, Hightower, Kennedy what are you doing to assist the community and police?
Nevermind the murders and other crimes. Let’s waste valuable police and sheriff resources to make sure everyone is wearing their face diapers.
Catch me if you can. If you do, make sure you write me two copies of that fine, because I’m going to wipe my rear end with the first one!
So we should not provide police with PPE?
Now we know the results of the “Cure the Violence” program!!! In order to get some of the money from the worthless program people have to commit more crimes and murders. Isn’t that what the program is all about? Good law abiding citizens think positive and those that don’t abide by the law think negative. The more money used for this program the more crimes and murder Greensboro will have to deal with and this is proof of that fact.
CP you need to crawl back into that hole you just came out of.It seems that we have better people in Greensboro than the crazies that riot and tear up and destroy.A recommendation would be ,”Why don’t you move out to the west coast where Your Friends BLM reside”. Do you see the see the disparity of the number of blacks killed verses all others.We are in a very small way like Chicago,except they sometimes will have that many killings in a couple weeks. Sherry hit the nail,the problem starts at Home,parents don’t teach children morals therefore there is no respect for the home,teachers,police or anyone else in Authority.Therefore they turn out as CP has suggested,Where are BLM. This explains why we have more minorities in the jails and prisons.Then our wonderful Dems are really concerned Why we have so many minorities in lockup. We need to get on our knees and pray that Gods will send us Revivals And pray that He would heal our land.
Almost 1 million taxpayer dollars given to a sitting councilwoman for “Cure violence” program and highest murder rate in years. Must’ve been because of white supremacy in Police dept…oh wait, both our C.O.P and Sheriff are black.
Well must’ve been because of our right wing GOP of old white males on the City council…oh wait, they’re all women/minorities…
Well I guess we just need more money for cure violence.
The Greensboro City Council clearly does not have any confidence at all in the Police Chief that they choose and hired. They are always telling him how to do his job. They should have hired someone that they knew could do the job and then let him DO HIS JOB. Hire professionals for all departments and only interfere when needed and trust that they are doing the job that they are hired to do properly.
I love this false outrage.
7 people died today in Guilford county. Debate.
10 additional deaths reported today (Thursday) in Guilford county. Another week like this and you’ll have another 56 preventable deaths that you just don’t really give a damn about.
Great news, only 2 more deaths reported for Guilford county today! We can all go back to normal. *Eyeroll*.
Hire additional qualified police, but more unmarked police cars and station them on Wendover Avenue, Gate City Boulevard, Route 40 & 85, and other streets attractive to speeders, high-accident intersections, etc. then divide the cost of officers, expenses and standard fines. Divide the cost among the offenders so as not to further tax the taxpayers. The extra funds will pay for additional protection for those in high-crime areas, reduce traffic violations, and perhaps pay for birth-control for abusive parents. (This does not include murdering the unborn. )
NJRW
How does that save the 17 lives from the last two days? And don’t worry, I’ll update with more numbers today.
Are you talking about COVID deaths or something? Make sure you keep complaining once Biden takes over. Unless of course the vaccine that Trump was orchestrating actually works. Then be sure you don’t give credit to Biden.
I forgot about Trump’s research career in molecular biology. Good point, Don (Jr.). Because of his orchestration, about half the country is scared to get the vaccine and most won’t have access to it until Winter – NEXT WINTER.
You all are “complaining” about 57 homicides this year while also wanting to ignore orders related to public health. “Open the bars”, “It’s a scamdemic”, “the socialist democrats are coming for you rights and your guns are next” (these are not direct quotes)
I didn’t actually bring up Trump or Biden, I was commenting on your false outrage. I wasn’t calling out anyone specifically, just the general sentiments of commenters on this *fine* right-wing blog. (Because it isn’t journalism at the rhino).
You’re right, and Biden has acknowledged it that this isn’t going to magically go away like the little orange man-baby thought the heat of summer would do. Go drink your hand sani and Clorox and get ready for another wave.
What does the city of Greensboro expect when they elect democrats as “leaders” and demand more restrictions on the ability of the police to do their jobs? They allow the criminals to riot unimpeded and even praise the criminals. When was the last time the police were allowed to do a full on investigation and drive against the drug dealers and child molesters with out someone screaming “discrimination” or “racism”? Allow the police to do their jobs and be ready to back them up.