Creekwood residents, WPD search for ways to stop violence

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — After responding to numerous calls of shots fired in Creekwood over the weekend WPD is turning to the community for answers on how to stop the violence.

“We need more help here,” said Wanetta Toliver. “It’s not that we can’t do it but you have some people who want to express what’s going on but they are afraid of doing it for fear of themselves or their children.”

The rash of violence has Creekwood residents asking Wilmington police for help, but they were surprised by their answer.

“They don’t have enough officers here,” said Raymond Bates. “They don’t have enough officers walking around when you just have six police for the housing developments.”

“Six officers cannot patrol and govern properly these communities,” said Toliver. “There’s just no way.”

“These residents feel that no one really cares about them,” said Bates. “I think there needs to be more law enforcement, not just the police, if we can get the DEA agents running out here you could solve a lot.”

But after hours of speaking about ways to help many Creekwood residents left Ebenezer Baptist with more questions than answers on how to fix their community.

“Most of the issues that should have been addressed have not been addressed,” said Toliver.

“The sad thing is you’re not seeing a whole lot of response from anybody,” said Bates. “That’s one of the reasons why we’re going to continue to have these problems out in these low income housing areas.”