Good morning. More than six months ago, the Fayetteville City Council voted to establish a review process for unanticipated events involving city employees that result in the loss of life or serious harm to individuals, including deadly police use-of-force incidents. On Monday, the council stepped back from implementing such a process in an 8-2 vote.
“Sentinel event reviews” are commonly used in the health care and aviation industries, but they have also been used by city police departments responding to critical incidents in recent years, writes Evey Weisblat. The council’s decision comes at a time when some local activists have called for an SER protocol amid fatal police shootings of Fayetteville residents and the 2023 death of Lawrence Artis while in police custody. Read our lead story for more.
Welcome to CityView Today. Also in today’s newsletter: Hope Mill’s $17 million Public Safety Building, opened in 2023, has reached full capacity; the police department and the town find themselves seeking solutions to address their rapid growth. In the wake of Jimmy Carter’s death, Senior Columnist Bill Kirby Jr. spoke with retired radio broadcast journalist Jeff Thompson, who recalled his 1977 interview with the former president. And the Fayetteville Day Resource Center sees success under new management.
Thanks for reading,
Maydha Devarajan
Interim Editor-in-Chief
Fayetteville City Council reverses decision to implement review process for deadly police shootings
Following a 45-minute discussion that was at times heated, the council voted 8-2 against moving forward with the process at Monday’s meeting.
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More from CityView
After one year, Hope Mills police have outgrown new station
“I know we just built a new building. But, my goodness. We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do to keep up,” said Hope Mills Commissioner Jerry Legge.
THE KIRBY FILE: Retired radio journalist remembers late President Jimmy Carter as a man of his word
“He has a special place in my heart having had the opportunity of interviewing him twice,” Jeff Thompson says about the nation’s 39th president, who died Dec. 29.
Day Resource Center sees success under new management and name
Now run by Manna Dream Center, the center rebranded as Fayetteville Cares, is expanding resources and creating new partnerships.
Events
LEGO BRICK BUILDERS
- Where: Throckmorton Library, 3346 R. Miller St., Fort Liberty
- When: 3:15-4:45 p.m. today
- What: Join us on the second Wednesday of each month to see if your building skills are up to the monthly themed challenge!
SENSORY PLAYTIME
- Where: Dunn Library, 110 E. Divine St., Dunn
- When: 10-11 a.m. today
- What: Discover a world of wonder at our monthly Sensory Playtime! Toddlers will explore textures, sounds, and colors through engaging activities designed to stimulate their senses and foster creativity.
TEEN SCENE ARTISTRY: MINDFUL JOURNALING
- Where: Cumberland County Public Library Headquarters Branch, 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville
- When: 3-4 p.m. today
- What: Join us as we begin a journaling journey with various prompts depending on your interests. Journals and journaling materials will be provided, but you can also bring your own.
Obituaries
Bill Cyrus Preece
Bill Cyrus Preece, 66, of Lumber Bridge, passed away on Friday, Jan. 3.
Inge Schwenzer Preece
Inge Schwenzer Preece, 89, of Fayetteville, passed away on Friday, Jan. 3.
Barbara Maclyn “Mackie” McDaniel Weeks
Barbara Maclyn “Mackie” McDaniel Weeks has passed. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11.
Until tomorrow!
🧐 January is a time for New Year’s resolutions (and then inevitably abandoning said resolutions in February). I’m currently still enthusiastic, however, and am looking for more opportunities in Fayetteville to expand my outside-of-work hobbies as we move into 2025. If you know of any places in town looking for music volunteers or that teach dance classes, send me a message.
~ Maydha
