Concerns rise over Port City United after employee’s arrest in Wilmington shooting

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The recent involvement of a New Hanover County employee in a violent shooting has sparked concerns about the effectiveness and future of the Port City United violence prevention program.

Stephen Barnett, who served as a supervisor in the department, was charged as an accessory after the fact in a weekend shooting, leading to questions about the program’s efficacy and use of taxpayer funds.

“It’s really not why I’m suggesting, however, that Port City United has run its course,” said County Commissioner Dane Scalise.

While the arrest has raised concerns, Scalise stated that he does not believe the program, which was created in 2022 using American Rescue Plan Act funding set to expire this year, has proven to be worth millions of dollars of taxpayer money.

“I think it has questionable tactics. I think it has questionable deliverables and, unfortunately, I do not think that it is making the public safer,” said Scalise.

As Port City United relies on federal funding that will soon expire, it would rely on local dollars to continue operating beyond this year.

“I do not think that this model that Port City United is set up on, very similar to TRU Colors, is one that will lend itself to success for the county,” said Scalise. “I do not think that the county should be in business or employing people that are still active gang members, people that are gang adjacent. It’s a dangerous proposition that does not bode well for the operation we run, which really should be focused on core services.”

These core services, according to Scalise, include education, particularly as New Hanover County Schools faces a multi-million dollar budget shortfall.

“I would rather focus on funding our kids, funding our students, funding our teachers. That’s where I want our priority to be,” Scalise emphasized.

Commissioner Scalise shared his concerns on social media. Luke Waddell, a Wilmington city councilman, echoed Scalise’s concerns and said he believed funding should be focused on children and teachers.

Looking ahead, if the county’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes funding for Port City United, Scalise made clear that he cannot support it, echoing concerns about its effectiveness and allocation of resources.