The Guilford County Board of Commissioners was laser focused on addressing gun violence when the board met on Thursday, June 2.
The commissioners reached out to local media and everyone listening to ask them to get the word out about what can be done starting right this second to help prevent mass shootings like the recent school shooting in Texas.
There are a lot of things county leaders want residents to do, but one that became the catchphrase of the new effort is this: “If you see something, say something.”
Chairman of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston and Vice-chair Carlvena Foster both restated this message multiple times that evening and, even after the meeting was over and Alston was being interviewed by local media, he continued to repeat the phrase that is now meant to become a centerpiece in the effort to reduce shootings in Guilford County.
A statement read by Foster announced that, as the nation mourns in the aftermath of yet another senseless school shooting, the county’s leaders “stand in solidarity with the schoolchildren of Uvalde, Texas, in saying, ‘No more.’”
When Foster read the statement, she was speaking not only for the Board of Commissioners but also for local health officials, Emergency Services leaders, school officials and the staffs of non-profits that address violence and mental health issues.
“Working together, we can protect the sanctity of the schoolhouse,” the statement read. “Working together, we can stop the violence that has claimed far too many lives and hurt countless others. Working together, we can – and we must – keep our children safe. That work is already underway in Guilford County. County, city, school, and law enforcement officials, leaders, and staff work closely together on safety planning, training, technology, and facility design and needs.”
Important strategies include sharing information, coordinating services and offering residents effective mental health services.
This statement also notes that there are “active tip lines supported by well-trained and responsive partners who immediately follow up on every contact.”
Here’s a list of phone numbers the commissioners want everyone to make note of and use when a problem or potential problem is witnessed:
- Greensboro-Guilford County Crime Stoppers Tip Line: 336-373-1000
- High Point Crimestoppers Tip Line: 336-889-4000
- 24 -Hour Behavioral Health Call Center: 1-800-256-2452
- Behavioral Health Crisis Line: 1-833-600-2054
- Guilford County Mobile Crisis Team: 1-877-626-1772
The statement Foster read also noted other moves that can be made to enhance student safety – such as designing and renovating schools with safety as a priority.
But, as for right now, county residents and county leaders will be the main tools in the initiative.
“If you see something, say something,” the statement reads. “Seek more and better intervention services and supports for struggling children and families. Volunteer in your community or at your local school. Actively engage in our great democracy.”
So they want us to spy on other people. A la Stalin. When will our children be spying on their parents? They want that.
Armed guards & checkpoints at schools, just like the City & County Courthouses (Outhouses?).
One thing citizens can do is pack. Most homes here are still left undisturbed (for now). The reason is that the burglars don’t want to be shot. This is the best defense there is from predation & tyranny. Or maybe Chuck Norris can come over.
So you little Bobby tells you he is going to kill those bullies at school…..but you wouldn’t ‘snitch’. Classy.
with you
We live next to a school and if anything happens there we will be helping rescue children long before any emergency services arrive. We will go inside to get kids out. We are not afraid. That will be our contribution.
With all that school bond $$$$$$$$$$ coming in, use some of it for security measures.
There is a reason that police stations are rarely attacked, they can fight back.
Harden the target, these crazies want attention, when they get taken out before they can
do their evil work, no glory(in their twisted mind).
Crazy how the new rhetoric is that it’s the school’s fault for all the dead kids because the didn’t turn their building into Fort Knox. The school system can’t even keep the HAVCs working.
Cut taxes and make Greensboro a place where citizens can live in harmony of truth for all mankind is the only thing that will help stop the killings. White men on the City Council will help too!!! We are going in the wrong direction with NO respect for ALL people, only looking in ONE direction instead of ALL directions for ALL people. It is easy to see what the problems we are dealing with these days. Things must change or life will get more difficult for ALL of US. Self-serving people in government is destruction for ALL of US!!! Negative if much to strong these days. We are ALL effected by the strong NEGATIVE cloud over ALL our heads!!!!!!
But ‘white men’ are the solution?! What are you going on about?
yes
Just another misguided politician. Once Big Brother takes over they just don’t know when to stop. Papers, please. ¿Tiene sus papeles?
Consider this…How many of these weapon touting wack jobs would either consider doing what they do or be as successful as they tend to be or believe they will be if we had Constitutional Carry laws allowing teachers to carry. But in addition to passing that, also hardening and actually enforcing laws that punish those that misuse those firearms, up to and including life in prison (as in actual life, not this 20 year BS) or the death penalty (again, actual death penalty, not years of constant BS appeals). Care to guess how that would work?
TX ha the most liberal conceal policy in the nation. Did stop that kid. What are you going on about?
I disagree with this one. With a loaded weapon in the classroom; imagine what could go wrong. Teachers are educators, not guards.
I remember just a couple years ago the county allotted $10 million for school safety.Maybe metal detectors at schools,more resource officer’s,etc .Later commissioners asked about the $10 million and our elitist superintendent Contreras said she had no accountability for the money.She had spent it and did not know where it had gone.But ready assured it did not go for school safety..
I would like to say this typifies the Democrats philosophy and will be for the $1.7 billion that the commissioners said was needed for the schools. There must not be any accountability within the schools, it can take a know quantity of money and cannot keep up with expenditures.