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Resident describes neighborhood gunfire; police meeting and June event planned
Summary
A Hope Mills resident told the board she heard multiple gunshots near her home and urged a community meeting with police; commissioners noted similar reports and flagged a June 7 gun-violence-awareness event and local outreach as next steps.
At the Hope Mills Board of Commissioners meeting a resident, Sally Bailey of 5857 Honeybridge Road, described multiple incidents of gunfire near her home and urged town leaders and police to meet with residents to identify and stop shooters.
"I was sitting on my deck... I hear a bullet goes by my hip," Bailey said, recounting separate incidents in which shots passed near her and neighbors. She asked for a community meeting or door-to-door outreach so police and residents could identify the source before a serious injury occurs.
Mayor Jesse Belvoir and commissioners acknowledged the concern and noted the police department's focus on community policing. Commissioner Swallow recounted a personal incident in which a 9 mm round was later removed from a house wall and said investigation is sometimes blocked when witnesses withhold names. The board pointed to an upcoming town-hosted gun-violence-awareness event on June 7 where gun locks will be distributed and survivors will speak.
Chief-level staff present emphasized community policing as a hallmark of the department and the board asked staff to follow up and consider increased outreach in neighborhoods with recurring reports. No formal action or vote was taken; staff said they would follow up with the resident and with the police department to explore options for neighborhood engagement.
