RALEIGH – The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program and the North Carolina Governor’s Crime Commission sponsored a public discussion Monday evening to address the ongoing issues of traffic safety, violent crime and public health within Robeson County.
Meeting attendees gathered at the Southeastern Agricultural Center to participate in brainstorming sessions and share valuable insights on potential solutions to enhance safety and security throughout the area.
“The purpose of this meeting was to hear from the citizens of Robeson County that are impacted by these public safety issues on a daily basis,” said GHSP Director Mark Ezzell. “We will take the ideas presented here tonight to inform a future public safety plan for county residents.”
Key speakers at the event included Deputy County Manager Shelton Hill, Colors of Life CEO Leon Burden, Lumberton Safety Advocate Dean Thomas, Dr. John Dorsch of UNC Health Southeastern, and Reverend Doctor Leslie Sessoms.
“The collaborative spirit and dedication demonstrated by the meeting attendees underscores the collective commitment to creating a safer and more secure environment for everyone in Robeson County,” said GCC Executive Director Caroline Farmer.
According to preliminary data by the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Traffic Safety Unit, 65 people lost their lives in vehicle crashes across Robeson County in 2023. Crash data from the past several years ranks Robeson County as the worst in the state for overall crashes.
The event concluded with a commitment to continued collaboration and action planning to implement the proposed solutions. Community members were encouraged to remain engaged in ongoing efforts to improve public safety throughout Robeson County.