The City has launched the Greensboro Collaborative Action Network (GSO CAN), a community-driven group unified in its mission to create meaningful violence prevention solutions. Spearheaded by the Greensboro Community Safety Department (CSD) and the Greensboro Police Department (GPD), GSO CAN invites community organizations, public safety partners, public health experts, educators, business leaders, our local faith community, and interested residents to join.
“The issue of community safety and violence prevention is greater than law enforcement alone,” said GPD Assistant Chief MJ Harris. “It requires a Citywide commitment across our community.”
CSD Director Latisha McNeil agreed, adding, “Creating a positive and lasting change in community safety means a new way of coming together to solve problems.”
GSO CAN is a crucial component of Pillar One: Co-Production in the City of Greensboro Community Safety Plan that was unveiled last June. The group will have its first meeting at 4:30 pm on Thursday, January 8, at the Yvonne J. Johnson Event Center at Barber Park, 1502 Barber Park Dr. Driving GSO CAN is a shared belief in collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to the following five core goals:
- Addressing the root causes of violence
- Fostering equity, safety, and resilience in all communities
- Strengthening trust and collaboration
- Leveraging public safety data to drive progress
- Promoting consistent interaction and engagement
“We believe that a safer Greensboro is possible only when every partner comes to the table with honesty, accountability, and a shared desire to build something better,” said Ivey Ghee, who recently has been hired by the CSD to be GSO CAN’s facilitator. “With GSO CAN we are moving from conversation to collaboration, from reaction to prevention, and from fragmented efforts to a unified vision.”
For more information or to register your interest in joining GSO CAN, visit www.GSOCAN.com. The City of Greensboro Community Safety Plan is available at www.greensboro-nc.gov/CSD.
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**A video of the news conference will be available this afternoon on the City of Greensboro’s YouTube page.**
