State & National

Community Relationships Matter

November 12, 2023 by Connie Lawson

High Point continues to grow and HPCAV participates in a variety of community events, consistently presenting our message and inviting everyone to be a part of making High Point safer.

This fall, we had the privilege of talking with Representative Kathy Manning, U.S. House, about gun violence in our area. Chief Stroud, HPCAV members and representatives of other youth-serving organizations participated.

The City’s annual Trunk or Treat event and High Point Police Department’s Community Day brought hundreds of families by our booth, enabling us to share our message with lots of new people.

Most recently we were honored to be a part of a gun violence panel held by the student chapter of the NAACP on High Point University’s campus. It was an evening of thoughtful and hopeful conversation with some of our future leaders.

Filed Under: High Point, News, Partners, State & National Tagged With: Community Against Violence, High Point, High Point Police Department, HP CAV, HPCAV, HPU, HPU NAACP, Rep. Kathy Manning, safecommunities

Domestic Violence Strategy Gains National Attention

August 27, 2018 by Connie Lawson

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence has invited the High Point Police Department to present information about our Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative (DVI) that was begun in 2012 at its national conference in September. Based on the Violent Crime Focused Deterrence model, the DVI has helped reduce repeat domestic violence offenses in High Point. Almost 3500 offenders have been “put on notice” over the past six years of implementation. And while the program is not perfect – domestic violence continues to happen – it has made a difference, more than other strategies used in the past.

Read more about our DVI in this article from the Greensboro News and Record.

Filed Under: Domestic Violence, High Point, News, State & National Tagged With: Community Against Violence, crime reduction strategy, domestic violence, High Point, safecommunities

Latest US Attorney Newsletter

March 8, 2017 by Connie Lawson

The Middle District of North Carolina, US Attorney’s Office, has published their March 2017 newsletter. This is a great way to see what is going on around our District related to crime and violence reduction efforts!

Middle District News

Filed Under: News, Partners, State & National Tagged With: crime reduction, Middle District North Carolina, US Attorneys office

Our Domestic Violence Model Goes National

July 6, 2016 by Connie Lawson

We are proud to share the news that the National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) at John Jay College of Criminal Justice is launching a new intimate partner violence intervention initiative, based on the successful intervention model we developed here in High Point. Three pilot cities will be chosen to replicate the model. This initiative is being funded by a $1.6 million grant from the Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.

“While we do not receive any of the money,” said Ken Schultz, High Point Chief of Police, “the work and efforts of everyone, to include all of our many partners who have contributed to the success of our program, will now be spread throughout the country and will benefit many more victims of domestic violence.”

Bush Named a Community Hero of the Month

August 17, 2015 by Connie Lawson

HPCAV members and friends, US Rep. Walker and Gretta Bush

Gretta Bush, HPCAV’s president has been named as a NC 6th Congressional District Community Hero of the Month by U.S Representative Mark Walker. Rep. Walker came to High Point in July and presented Mrs. Bush with a certificate and the United States flag that was flown over the Capitol on May 21, 2015.

Rep. Walker attended a call-in and was impressed with what he saw and heard, especially Mrs. Bush’s ability to tell the truth to the participants with graciousness and their acceptance of her and the message they receive.

The Community Hero of the Month is a way for Rep. Walker to honor people within the 6th Congressional District who are making a difference in our communities.

Filed Under: High Point, News, State & National Tagged With: Community Against Violence, community hero of the month, High Point, HPCAV success, NC 6th Congressional District, US Rep Mark Walker

HPCAV Accepts FBI Award

June 4, 2015 by Connie Lawson

On May 1, 2015, HPCAV was presented the 2014 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award at FBI Headquarters, Washington, DC by Director James B. Comey. HPCAV was selected as the organization in North Carolina to receive this recognition. Board President Gretta Bush, Board members Robert Martin and Chris Martin, Executive Director Jim Summey, and High Point Police Chief Marty Sumner were there to receive the award.

“This year’s honorees have distinguished themselves in remarkable ways through their hard work, their leadership, and their strength of character,” said Director Comey. “They are ordinary citizens, but what they have accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary.”

“We are so honored to receive this award,” said Gretta Bush, HPCAV Board President. “After all these years of working together, it is so nice to see our efforts recognized.”

This special award was created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime and violence in America. Nominations are submitted by area FBI Field Offices.

High Point Community Against Violence was formed in 1997.

Filed Under: High Point, News, State & National, Updates Tagged With: Community Against Violence, crime reduction strategy, FBI, FBI Community Award, High Point, High Point Police Department, HPCAV success, safecommunities

Focused Deterrence Works

January 31, 2015 by Connie Lawson

Preliminary 2014 year end statistics from the High Point Police Department show, once again, that the Focused Deterrence model successfully reduces crime.

Since we started using this model in 1997, High Point’s violent crime is down 67% even though our population has increased by 44%.

Yes, we still have violent crimes take place here. But we continue to work towards less crime and making High Point a safer place for everyone. We’re getting there!

Filed Under: High Point, News, State & National, Updates Tagged With: community, Community Against Violence, crime reduction, crime reduction strategy, crime statistics, High Point, High Point Police Department, HPCAV success, law enforcement, safecommunities, violence

HPCAV Receives FBI Award

December 19, 2014 by Connie Lawson

HPCAV was honored to receive the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2014 at a presentation on November 20, 2014. Deron W. Roberts, FBI Special Agent in Charge from the Charlotte, NC office made the presentation to Jim Summey, HPCAV Executive Director and Gretta Bush, HPCAV Board president.

HPCAV was selected from nominations throughout NC. Members of the organization will travel to Washington, DC in May, 2015 for the official presentation ceremony, joining winning community organizations from other states.

HPCAV members with FBI Agent Roberts.

Filed Under: High Point, News, State & National Tagged With: Community Against Violence, Community Support, crime reduction strategy, FBI, FBI Community Award, High Point, HPCAV success, safecommunities

HPCAV Donor Recognized

October 22, 2014 by Connie Lawson

On October 16, 2014, the office of the United States Attorney, Middle District of North Carolina, recognized Mr. Zaki Khalifa for the donation of the building at 792 North Main Street in High Point for use by High Point Community Against Violence, Inc. (HPCAV).

The presentation was made on behalf of Ripley Rand, U.S. Attorney by Rob Lang, Assistant U.S. Attorney and original member of High Point’s crime reduction strategy task force. “Thank you for the example you set,” said Lang as he reflected on what the building has meant to High Point’s efforts to reduce violent crime.

In sharing a bit about why he donated the building, Mr. Khalif stated that as a result of some introspection, he had asked himself, “Is there something I can do to prevent crime by someone else? It was in that spirit that I donated the building.”

Mr. Khalifa is a widely respected and long time resident of High Point. He is well known as the founder and owner of Zaki Oriental Rugs and has been active in many community efforts.

The building provides HPCAV with permanent office space and serves as as a location for related prevention and intervention programs. Included is the Life Construction Program that teaches construction skills and provides hands on learning opportunities in a workshop in the back of the building.

Filed Under: High Point, News, State & National Tagged With: Community Against Violence, Community Support, crime reduction strategy, High Point, Life Construction, safecommunities, Zaki Khalifa

Domestic Violence Initiative Showing Results

September 17, 2014 by Connie Lawson

One thousand fewer calls. Since fully implementing the Offender Focused Domestic Violence Initiative just two years ago, High Point Police Department reports receiving 1000 fewer calls asking for a response to domestic violence incidents. This is good news for High Point families and for our community as a whole.

Cities across our nation continue to consult with High Point and to implement this Initiative in their jurisdictions. Roanoke, Virginia; Chula Vista, California; and East Baton Rouge, Louisiana to name a few.

Filed Under: Domestic Violence, High Point, News, State & National Tagged With: chula vista, domestic violence, east baton rouge, High Point, lexington, nc, roanoke, violence