Sheriff’s office to hold public forum to address youth violence in Columbus County

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A public forum will be held this month to discuss youth violence within the Columbus County community.

The sheriff’s office says this event was created in response recent shootings where young people involved were either injured or died.

“We are aware that most of this happened in the cities and out of county, but this affected our county greatly,” a CCSO spokesman wrote in a release.

The forum will take place at Southeastern Community College auditorium, 4564 Chadbourn Highway in Whiteville, at 6 p.m. on December 16.

During the event, a panel of leaders in education, law enforcement, social services, youth counseling, judicial, religious, and local government will be on stage to answer and discuss specific issues surrounding violence affecting our youth and gang violence in the communities along with school safety.

“This will be open to all in hopes to have informative discussions that will improve communications between all involved,” the spokesman wrote.

The event is free to the public.