Stop the Violence Coalition of Asheville & Buncombe County
by Andrea Wright –
April marks the beginning of an aggressive “Stop the Violence” campaign in Buncombe County. An increase of gun violence since January has prompted the coalition’s call for action.
The group is asking local neighborhoods to form community watch groups—a plan that has failed in the past, according to Dr. Keith Ogden, spokesperson for the Stop the Violence Coalition. Ogden pleaded with the community to join him, saying, “All our communities are in jeopardy, regardless of where you live.”
Standing with Dr. Ogden in support of the campaign were clergy and community leaders from across Western North Carolina, including Asheville Housing Authority CEO Gene Bell and Residents Council Officers, City of Asheville Police Department officers, and area community members.
After a resounding plea for community engagement Dr. Ogden said, “We have people who do not condone this behavior, but yet they’re afraid to call 911—afraid to call the police. Our children, teens and young adults are being hurled into a life of violence and crime that will eventually lead them to jail; not to mention the ongoing gunshots at night with children hiding in closets and bathrooms. We cannot allow these provocateurs to frighten innocent children, terrorize our teens, and destroy our communities. Discharging of one weapon is one too many! When will it stop? Who has to die? I’m calling on the matriarchs and patriarchs of our communities to host community forums to motivate citizens to say ‘enough is enough’!”
The Stop the Violence Coalition is a cross-section of organizations including the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA) of Asheville and Vicinity, City of Asheville Housing Authority, Asheville Police Department, City of Asheville Parks and Recreation, City Manager’s Office, Asheville City Schools Administration, and area clergy and community leaders.
The organization, which began in early 2014, meets every two weeks at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Hill Street Baptist Church, 135 Hill Street. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2015.
