Carolinian

Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Campus News

Media Credit: RACHEL FEINBERG/THE CAROLINIAN Residents march in front of Andy's Pantry, where a boy was murdered just weeks prior.

The Glenwood neighborhood, just off Lee Street, has not been a very safe neighborhood lately. Just a couple weeks ago, a 20-year-old boy was shot in the head three times in broad daylight. His murder happened at Andy's Pantry on the corner of Grove Street and McCormick Street, and this was the last straw for Glenwood's residents.

A little after 2 p.m. on Saturday a group of concerned neighbors, forming the Glenwood Neighborhood Association, got together to march through the streets for a safer, more peaceful neighborhood.

Barry Scarbrough, president of the association, and a few others decided to organize a march through the streets with signs showing that they want the violence to stop.

"We've tried other ways but nothing has worked," Scarbrough said. "We decided to do this march as a way to speak out real loud."

Charles Coffey, who is the president of the Lee Street Merchants Association, said they try to discuss things in order to come up with solutions to work out their problems.

"Friends and neighbors watch out for each other. This is something every neighborhood needs to be doing," said Coffey. "People need to get involved."

Shannon Myers, a UNCG alumna who lives in the neighborhood, said she does not feel safe.

"I would love to walk to the convenience store, but right now it's not safe after dark," explained Myers. "Just last weekend I heard five successive gunshots in the park."

Myers said people call the police and it is important to let them know, but they cannot always be there.

The walk, which lasted around half an hour, included about 50 people and many of them carried signs. They walked around the blocks of Glenwood, Grove, Portland, and West Florida streets twice. As people drove by many honked or waved to show their support.

Police in their cars led and followed the group through the streets and news crews were welcomed to join. The residents sang songs about bringing peace to the neighborhood. The march closed with a moment of silence for the victim of the Andy's Pantry murder and a prayer.

The Hive, located at 1202 Grove Street, will be having a Pay The Youth night on Saturday, Oct. 27. It will include poetry readings and free food and drinks as a way to show the youth they can make honest money instead of dealing.

Heather Kelly, a senior at UNCG who lives in the neighborhood, attended the march.

"People are going to notice this community gathering," said Kelly. "Hopefully it will bring awareness and get people to want to help our community."

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