Presenter outlines TR 105 consortium to reduce youth crime and promote mentoring

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — Dr. Seth Lartey, president of the New Frontier Alliance for Development, told the Kernersville Board of Aldermen on Jan. 29 that TR 105 is a coalition-style effort to reduce crime, theft, violence and poverty among youth by mobilizing existing local organizations and civic leaders.

Lartey said TR 105 has identified more than 20 community organizations to join a consortium and is asking municipal officials, school leaders and other gatekeepers to sign a covenant that publicly supports students’ pledges to avoid drugs, theft and violence. “We have these people who have agreed to serve as a kind of a witnesses to encourage you, to stay focused,” Lartey said.

Lartey, who identified himself as a Winston-Salem resident and the president of the New Frontier Alliance for Development, said TR 105 seeks to be inclusive and to scale effective local programs rather than replace them. He cited a 1990s Winston-Salem program called Operation Willpower, which he said produced a “tremendous drop in crime,” and he listed several people and organizations in Winston-Salem who have signed the TR 105 covenant, including Don Martin (former superintendent), Chief Sherry Kimbrough and Mayor Alan Jones, as examples of early signatories.

The presenter said the initiative’s first wave aims to enroll children from birth to age 18 and does not require municipal financial commitments; instead, it seeks public affirmation from municipal leaders. “Our first wave is to reach out and see if we can get at least children, from the ages of 0 to 18, to sign up and commit to remaining free of drugs, of crime, violence, and theft in our community,” Lartey said. He told the board the mayor’s participation would be as a public supporter and cheerleader rather than a fiscal sponsor.

Mayor (unnamed in the record) thanked Lartey for the presentation and asked if any board members had questions; none were raised during the session. Lartey said he would answer questions if needed and thanked the mayor for the opportunity to present.

Why it matters: The program proposes community-led prevention and mentoring as a way to address youth-related crime and social problems and seeks to coordinate existing organizations rather than create a new municipal program. The initiative’s stated nonfinancial approach means the town would not be asked for a budget appropriation at this time.

What’s next: Lartey did not ask the board for funding and no formal action was taken. The board did not direct staff to take specific steps during the meeting.