The Richmond County Community Advisory Panel adopted a new initiative recently to organize a Community Safety Celebration in an effort to curb alcohol and drug abuse in the community.

The initiative came as the group reviewed and evaluated its four existing strategies, which include a responsible living mass media campaign, a pair of internship positions to work with DWI cases in the local courts, publicizing law enforcement highway checkpoints and a plan for the abatement of public nuisances.

“One strategy we could adopt is to have a family-oriented event where there is no alcohol or drugs, for the community to come together and discuss responsible living,” said Chairwoman Shirlyn Smith.

She explained there is the Hoke County Community Advisory Panel that already has such an event, and reported it being a great success there.

The subject was brought up during a discussion of the group’s plan for the abatement of public nuisance structures like vacant businesses and abandoned homes.

“It is common for people to be seen in drinking in public, and drinking in excess,” said Melinda McDonald.

The question was posed how to get municipalities involved in the plan. Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Maj. James Clemmons explained the role of municipalities in the removal of public nuisances..

He’d given a presentation to the group on the legal process of public nuisance removal last year.

“The municipalities know about nuisance abatement, and they’re trying to do something about it,” Clemmons said. “I’ve worked with Dobbins Heights on some projects ... but where you run into red tape is dealing with the owners of the property.”

He explained there is a legal process starts with a complaint being made, the owner being notified of the complaint and then having the opportunity to appeal any order to demolish the structure.

“It’s the broken windows theory,” Clemmons said, recalling a strategy used to clean up New York City in the 1980’s. “If there’s a door kicked in today, there will be a window kicked out tomorrow and eventually it’s too far gone to save. The theory is, if it’s broken fix it now before it gets out of control, or either renovate the structure for another use.

”He said there have been cases in the county where buildings were allowed to be rebuilt into churches and other community buildings.

The meeting was also attended by officials from the South Central Center for Prevention Resources in Pembroke.

Also at the meeting:

Richmond County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. John Edwards gave an informational presentation about the Governor’s Highway Safety Program and its impact on Richmond County.

Smith told members she would distribute coasters, posters and footballs to area restaurants, bars and clubs for Super Bowl Sunday encouraging adults to avoid binge drinking.

The slogan on the items is “Fans don’t let fans drink too much.”

A training session for members on establishing sustainability planning, enhancing community mobilization and media accuracy was scheduled for June 2-3.

The group discussed preliminary plans for a town hall meeting to discuss curbing alcohol and substance abuse in the community.

The town hall meeting is being planned for the week of March 22, though an exact date has not been set.

Plans were also discussed to host a Kick Butts Day youth-oriented anti-smoking campaign event on the afternoon of March 24 at the county social services and health department offices.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.