Launched last year, the OCS aims to serve the community through a holistic model that prioritizes support instead of traditional law enforcement responses.
In its first quarter, the OCS made significant strides in connecting with the community. The five-person team participated in 59 community engagement events, including three Youth Night Out events that drew more than 150 young people. These gatherings included a variety of programs aimed at supporting youth development and offering practical skills.
"We had cooking classes, T-shirt design classes, and organizations like Missy Mentoring provided headshots and résumé building workshops," Director John Jones said.
Jones, a Fayetteville native, describes the city as being in the midst of a positive transition.
"The biggest push for this office was to create a response model similar to what we see in Durham and Greensboro," Jones said. "Typically, that includes a clinician, an EMT member, etc. We're in the process of developing that model here in Fayetteville."
These community-driven efforts mark a shift in how Fayetteville approaches violence prevention and public safety, focusing on building relationships and fostering skills rather than relying solely on traditional law enforcement methods.
Between July and September, the OCS responded to 214 calls related to behavioral health issues and homelessness. Jones emphasized the importance of coordinating existing resources to address the needs of the unhoused population.
"When it comes to the unhoused community, we want to be able to coordinate resources already available to ensure that when someone is unhoused, and we get a call about that, we can respond appropriately," Jones explained.
Looking ahead, Jones said the office plans to expand its initiatives, including creating additional safe spaces for people. The goal is to continue fostering an environment where people feel heard, supported, and cared for.
"The biggest thing I want people to take away from the work of the OCS is that we hear community safety concerns," Jones said. "Then, we coordinate with the right resources to ensure that we address those concerns in a way that not only provides a solution but also offers care to everyone impacted."
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