Black Political Caucus holds open forum to talk solutions on rising homicide rate

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Black Political Caucus held a "Conversation Versus Confrontations" forum Saturday at the Trinity Episcopal School in hopes of stopping Charlotte's rising homicide rate.

There have been at least 42 homicides so far in 2017, which is double the number at this time in 2016.

The caucus members invited the public to talk about solutions.

They said they plan to focus on stopping the violence this summer after the alarming number of homicides so far this year.

What they heard from the crowd was distrust in police following a Minnesota verdict where an officer was found not guilty in the shooting of a black man, who many believe posed no threat.

Philando Castille's story was a big topic during the forum.

"Where someone did everything right, everything that he could possibly do right, and was still shot dead,” one person said.

People asked Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney about better training, suggested black officers patrol black communities and said the legal standard that allows an officer to use deadly force is too low.

Timisha Barnes-Jones, principal at West Mecklenburg High School, said there is a lot of distrust of police on her campus.

Now, after the Castille case, it's harder.

"You're telling us to follow the rules, but here's a gentleman that did and he still lost his life, so now what?" Barnes-Jones said.

Teens had break-out sessions to talk about what to expect from an encounter with a police officer.

"We were just talking about, don't give them a reason to think that you have trouble or are causing trouble,” 13-year-old Bayla Jones said.

The group wants to strengthen the relationship between the black community and police.

Putney said these conversations are steps toward a safer city.

Leaders said that they are most concerned about black men ages 16-24.

"There are a lot of words. It's time to do the work,” Putney said. “I'm looking forward to connecting with some people I met here who are committed to doing the work."

Putney said his police force of 1,900 officers is 75 percent white, but that’s not a recruiting issue, rather more of an interest level.

Putney pledged to meet with every community group he can and keep building relationships in the minority community.

The members of the caucus are called the forum "Conversations Versus Confrontations" because they hope to work together to solve conflict without using violence.

Dwayne Collins said they are working for social justice for all.

“We want the community, both law enforcement and citizens, to come together to see what we can collectively do to come up with solutions that we can both agree upon,” Collins said.

Cox Media Group