Thank you to the Hayden-Harmon Foundation for its support of High Point Community Against Violence. On February 24, Dr. Patrick Harmon called our Executive Director to share the good news of a financial gift that will enable HPCAV to improve its services. We are grateful for their belief in our mission.

A documentary film making team from Israel arrived in High Point today for about a week’s worth of filming and interviewing as the first step in creating a documentary about the High Point model for violence reduction.   The focus of the documentary will be our Drug Market Intervention, which was the first application of the strategy in High Point.  As mentioned in an earlier post, the Washington Drive area is the targeted neighborhood for this latest effort.  A call-in or notification meeting with individuals identified as causing the greatest problems in this neighborhood will be held on Tuesday, February 9th.  The documentary will be aired on an educational channel in Europe and will be seen in seven different countries.

High Point has been visited by representatives of many cities, states and countries over the last several years.  Our Executive Director, Jim Summey, some other HP CAV members as well as officers from the High Point Police Department have provided training to cities across the nation.  Our Police Chief, Jim Fealy, has presented this strategy at The Hague in the Netherlands. 

This model is one that can be replicated and it is our pleasure to share that information with communities everywhere.

First Wesleyan Church of High Point created, sponsored and hosted its first “Compassionate Artist Series” in 2009.  Four different evening events, featuring four different Christian entertainment options, were put together, with the proceeds going to help sponsor HPCAV and the Refugee Welcoming Ministry of High Point.  This series raised $25,000 for our two organizations.  On January 24, 2010, Jim Summey, HPCAV Executive Director, gratefully accepted a check for $12,500.00 from First Wesleyan Church.  “It was a good thing, done in a good way and for good causes,” said Summey.  These funds will be used for our general operating expenses.  Thank you, First Wesleyan!

Washington Drive is the next neighborhood where the focused deterrence strategy will be employed.  High Point police and High Point Community Against Violence members have been meeting with residents of the area to explain the strategy, answer questions, address concerns and enlist community support and participation.  We look forward to seeing this neighborhood become safer for the individuals and families who live there.

High Point closed out 2009 with three homicides.  That is a far cry from where our city was in 1997, but it is not where we want to be!  Let’s take this positive news and use it to re-energize our efforts, as individuals and as members of a shared community, to work even harder to reduce violence in our city.

We invite you to talk with our police department or our organization about what you can do to make and keep High Point a safe place to live, have a family and work. [Read more…]