RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Office of Violence Prevention has released a new, first-ever, three-year plan to tackle crime across the state.

The plan comes after a survey of major cities across the U.S. showed a decline in violent crime nationwide, but an increase in North Carolina homicides in Raleigh and Mecklenburg County.

What You Need To Know

  • The Office of Violence Prevention has released a plan aimed at preventing violence, harm caused by violence and firearm misuse across North Carolina

  • This three-year plan aims to foster collaboration between state and local leaders, law enforcement, public health professionals and grassroots organizations to create safer, healthier communities

  • The plan comes at a time when some forms of violent crime have seen an uptick in Raleigh and Mecklenburg County

Siarra Scott, the acting director for the Office of Violence Prevention, says this new plan will serve as a road map to fight crime.

“This plan is really to outline how we collectively at the state level, but also at the local level, work together to address community violence through partnership and holding each other accountable,” Scott said.

Scott broke down the three major steps outlined in the plan:

1. Enhance collaboration and coordination
“Building a more cohesive ecosystem where there is coordination and collaboration across sectors, working towards that shared goal of addressing community violence in our state and then to working to grow and better support the workforce that's dedicating their time and expertise to this work,” Scott said. “And lastly, preparing and empowering local communities with the tools, resources and expertise needed to create and maintain safety and well-being for their communities.”

2. Strengthen the community violence prevention workforce
“Working to grow and better support the workforce that's dedicating their time and expertise to this work,” she said. 

3. Prepare and empower communities
“Preparing and empowering local communities with the tools, resources and expertise needed to create and maintain safety and well-being for their communities,” Scott said.

It comes at a time when the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department reports 26% more homicides and 10% more property crime in the first three months of 2023 compared with last year.

In the first six months of this year, the survey found overall violent crime declined in Raleigh for the second year in a row while the number of homicides climbed.

Another factor state leaders are contending with is that firearms are now the leading cause of violent deaths in North Carolina and the leading cause of fatal injuries among children, according to the state’s Child Fatality Task Force.

The Office of Violence Prevention was established in 2023 and works in partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the state’s Community Violence Advisory Board.

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