Title: Strategic Plan for Kinston’s Community Action Response Team (CART)

Introduction:

To make Kinston safer, more transparent, and united, we propose the creation of a Community Action Response Team (CART). This team will be made up of trained, employed community members who work alongside law enforcement to prevent lewdness, deter crime, and respond to non-violent calls—ultimately reducing gun and gang violence, police brutality, and non-transparency.

1. CART Structure and Operations

• Team Composition:

  • CART members are local residents, carefully vetted and trained in conflict resolution, de-escalation, and community engagement.

  • Each housing unit in targeted neighborhoods will have a comfortable, secure shed for CART workers to use as a base.

  • Each CART worker is provided with a patrol car to monitor their assigned area and respond to calls.

• Duties:

  • Patrol neighborhoods, build relationships, and act as visible deterrents to crime and lewd behavior.

  • Respond to non-violent police calls, freeing up law enforcement for more serious incidents.

  • Serve as community liaisons, ensuring that police interactions are observed and documented for transparency.

  • Collect data and report on incidents, trends, and outcomes, making all reports available to the public.

2. Funding Sources for CART

To fund the CART initiative, we will pursue the following sources:

A. Federal and State Grants

• U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants.

• Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Program.

• North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission grants.

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) grants.

B. Local Government and Law Enforcement Partnerships

• City of Kinston and Lenoir County: Request budget allocations for public safety innovation.

• Police department collaboration for shared resources and training.

C. Private Foundations and Nonprofits

• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Community safety and health initiatives.

• The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Youth and community development.

• Local community foundations and United Way.

D. Corporate and Community Sponsorships

• Local businesses and industries: Sponsorships for vehicles, uniforms, and equipment.

• Hospitals and healthcare providers: Support for violence prevention.

E. Faith-Based and Civic Organizations

• Churches, mosques, and synagogues: Funding, volunteers, and advocacy.

• Rotary, Kiwanis, and other civic groups: Grants and fundraising.

F. In-Kind Donations

• Construction companies: Sheds and facility improvements.

• Car dealerships: Discounted or donated vehicles.

3. Implementation Timeline

• Months 1-2:

  • Form planning committee, secure initial funding, and finalize program design.

  • Identify target neighborhoods and locations for CART sheds.

• Months 3-4:

  • Recruit and train CART members, with a focus on transparency, accountability, and de-escalation.

  • Construct and install sheds at each housing unit.

  • Acquire and equip patrol vehicles.

• Month 5:

  • Launch public awareness campaign.

  • Begin CART patrols and community engagement.

• Month 6 and Beyond:

  • Monitor outcomes, collect data, and adjust strategies as needed.

  • Expand to additional neighborhoods as funding allows.

4. Impact: Halting Gun and Gang Violence, Reducing Police Brutality, and Increasing Transparency

• CART’s visible presence and rapid response will deter criminal activity and de-escalate situations before they become violent.

• By serving as community liaisons and observers, CART will help reduce incidents of police brutality and ensure all interactions are transparent and accountable.

• Public reporting and community oversight will build trust and keep residents informed.

Conclusion: A Safer, Stronger, and More Transparent Kinston

The CART initiative will empower residents, create jobs, reduce violence, and make Kinston a model for community-driven public safety and transparency. With the right funding and support, we can launch this program within six months and start making a real difference.