Nearly 100 people stood in front of the Fayette County Justice Center on June 18 to relay a message and to take a stand. The group included Fayette County civic, business, faith and political leaders, law enforcement and citizens from around the county taking a stand for their community and committing to a unified front against the type of senseless violence that claimed one life on June 7 and another on June 13.
It was on June 7 that 27-year-old Gregory Smith, a manager at the Applebee’s in Fayetteville was shot and killed in the store’s parking lot. And it was on June 13 that 19-year-old Stockbridge resident Wali Clanton was attending a party in north Fayette and died from a gunshot wound.
Homicides are uncommon in Fayette County. Yet these two deaths have served to galvanize an effort that is unusual for any community.
The moderator at the press conference was Rep.Virgil Fludd (Dem.-District 64). Fludd began his comments by thanking the large group of leaders and citizens who came to make a unified stand in and for their community.
“You can see from the folks here with me that this issue cuts across all lines. So we have people from the faith community, the business community, NAACP, law enforcement, elected and non-elected leaders, all standing together to be clear about our solidarity,” said Fludd. “We are deeply saddened by the recent tragedies in our community. Our hearts go out to the families that have been impacted by these events.
Driving home the intent of the press conference, Fludd said, “We want to be clear that this has always been a safe place to live and we intend to keep it that way. We are simply not going to allow violent criminal behavior here.”
Fludd spoke of moving to Fayette 20 years ago and the numerous changes that have occurred since that time.
“But I tell you one thing has not changed. That is the commitment of the residents of Fayette County to make sure that this community protects its citizens, protects our investments and protects our quality of life,” Fludd said. “No isolated or organized criminal activity is going to be tolerated.”
Using the ongoing Fayette County Visioning Initiative as a reference, Fludd said “The vision for this county will not be blurred by anyone who uses violence to undermine the progress that has already been made in Fayette. We will not be silent in the face of incidents that threaten the sanctity of our healthy, progressive and unified community.”
Taking to the podium after Fludd’s remarks was Fayette County Sheriff Barry Babb.
“The support in the community is unbelievable,” Babb said near the beginning of his remarks. “Officers (while out in the community) often hear a ‘thank you for your service’ from people. This doesn’t happen in a lot of areas.”
Babb said the type of violence seen recently in Fayette is not the norm, adding that overall crime has been steadily decreasing in recent years.
Babb then turned his comments to the large group of people assembled with him on the steps of the Justice Center.
“So thank you for what you do,” he said, referencing the group of civic, religious, business and political leaders. “We’re here united with a bridge of cooperation. Today is a great example of this community standing together.”
Also speaking at the occasion was Fayetteville Police Chief Scott Pitts.
“We’re depending on the efforts and cooperation with the community to have Fayetteville and Fayette County safe going forward,” he said, echoing many of the remarks by Fludd and Babb. “We can do that with your support.”
Pitts said it will be a good day when those responsible for the recent killings are brought to justice.
“Partnerships with the community contribute to our success,” said Pitts. “Law enforcement (in Fayette County) is united regardless the jurisdictional boundaries.”
Pitts asked that citizens notify law enforcement when they see something suspicious, requesting that residents “don’t wait when you see something happening.”
There was also a message for businesses in Pitts’ comments. He said businesses, whether in the morning or nighttime hours, could call for a police escort when making a bank deposits. The same applies for those closing up late and desiring an escort to their vehicle, he said.
“This is one of the services we provide,” said Pitts.
Rounding out the speakers for the morning event was Fayette County Chamber of Commerce CEO Carlotta Ungaro.
“Fayette County’s businesses are gravely concerned about the recent incidents in our community,” Ungaro said, referencing the homicides involving Smith and Clanton. “While these tragedies have occurred only in the last few weeks, we know this in not a trend. The businesses and people of Fayette County know this is not ‘business as usual.’”
Ungaro’s comments centered on the families of the slain men and on the greater community.
“We will not succumb to fear. Fayette County is not a place of uncertainty, but a place of hope,” she said. “Our future is success, not uncertainty. Fayette’s sense of community, our economic strengths and focus on ‘place’ forge the civitas that binds all Fayette together. The business community is an integral part of the Fayette community and we stand tall by and with the citizens in this time of need.”
In all, it was a unique type of gathering, one that in many communities would not have occurred. There are always lines of separation in any community, whether political, religious or civic. But there were no lines on the steps of the Justice Center Thursday morning. There was but a mass of people bringing a unified message that violence will not be tolerated, nor will it define Fayette County’s future.
