Several panelists at the Southeast Raleigh Community and Personal Safety Forum had the opportunity to talk about their ideas and all attendees had an opportunity to express their concerns and get advice through open questions. The panelists were first given the opportunity to introduce themselves. After their introductions they started accepting questions from public. This forum was attended by about a hundred concerned citizens of South East Raleigh.
The Panelists
Lt. Governor, Mark Robinson
Born in Greensboro, NC. Mr. Robinson was born in a family of 10 children. Despite not having an easy childhood, he did graduate from Grimsley High School. After this he did serve in the US Army for 4 years. His rise to a political life began when he gave a speech at Greensboro City Council meeting in July of 2019. In this speech he strongly defended the 2nd Amendment. He’s the Lt Governor of North Carolina since January 9th, 2021.
David Blackwelder
born in Durham, NC. Mr. Blackwelder is a graduate of North Carolina Central Law School. He has lived in Wake County for most of his life. He served on the police force and practices law. David Blackwelder is running for the Wake County Sheriff post.
Donnie Harrison
has a long career in law enforcement under his belt. His experience totals 42 years as a Highway Patrol and then th Wake County Sherriff from 2002 to 2018. He is a 3 time recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine awarded to individuals for extraordinary contributions to their communities.
Stephanie Hopkins
started her career in Law Enforcement at the age of 21 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio as a patrol officer. Once she returned to the Raleigh area, she joined the North Carolina Department of Corrections. In July 2011 she changed her career by graduating from nursing school and then continued to serve her community. She’s now running for the Wake County Sheriff post.
Tivon Howard
has 20 years of Law Enforcement experience. In addition, he also served a few years in the military. He is a First Sergeant on the Zebulon Police Force. On top of serving his community and country, he also works as a substitute teacher and mentor for community youth. He regularly volunteers with Share His Glory Ministry.
Nellie Greer
is a North Carolina native. She is a resident of Wake Country for over 50 years. She became a community volunteer and a leader in 2008 after retiring from the Cary Oil Company. In her volunteering efforts she participated in projects rescuing children from sex trafficking and teaching women’s groups and others teaching them personal safety.
Topics Covered at The Forum
The forum proved to be a fertile platform bringing community issues closer to the people involved in public service. Of the most notable discussion topics was the proposal by Stephanie Hopkins that the police academy should have a mandatory course on US Constitution. To which someone from the audience replied with a question, “As well as the North Carolina Constitution, right?” Whereby reminding the panelists that the United States is still made up of 50 independent states.
Another important topic was brought up by Mark Robinson. He urged that community members get more involved in their local affairs, starting with daily life on own blocks. Personal safety starts with own vigilance. People in their communities must cooperate in mutual good faith between with authorities, i.e. law enforcement. People in own communities must step up and not be afraid to get involved in “tough conversations.”
A big topic discussed was also school safety. The panelists generally agreed that anonymous drop boxes for the reporting of potential threats such as weapons on school grounds are vital. Community outreaches that address troubled youth, whereby preventing gang influence, are also proven beneficial activities.