Drug and Homeless Task Force expands support for struggling residents

Other Burke communities are taking notice of Valdese’s multifaceted approach to its complex drug and homeless situation.

Launched in March, the Drug and Homeless Task Force began brainstorming initiatives that would provide programming for individuals in crisis. The task force meets on the last Tuesday of each month and is spearheaded by Valdese Police Chief Marc Sharpe. One of those programs getting traction throughout the county is the transportation program.

TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM

Jethro’s Community and Discipleship Center, at 209 Church St. NW, has evolved into a “safe zone meeting place” for the weekly bus trip to Burke County United Ministries. The bus is provided by the River of Life Church.

The transportation program started in August when a group of volunteer drivers began bringing homeless individuals to BUCM, every Thursday at 11 a.m. and brought back around 2 p.m.

These groups are transported to the center for food, counseling, hygiene care, and laundry services. The trips address two obstacles the individuals encounter — access to resources and lack of transportation.

The transportation program is expanding, Sharpe said, throughout Burke County from Longview to Glen Alpine.

“Chief Whisnant from Morganton Public Safety and I, along with other law enforcement department heads across the county, have been communicating with Greenway Transportation, the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, Burke United Christian Ministries, and the others about possibly funding a bus route on Highway 70 that would serve all the communities in Burke County,” Sharpe said.

ENGAGEMENT

The task force is working on creative events to engage the homeless population in recognition of Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 17-23).

“A dinner has been planned in honor of the Homelessness Awareness Week at the United Methodist Church in Valdese, as another connect opportunity for those seeking services,” Sharpe said. “Dinner is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 17, at 6:45 p.m. in the basement of the church. Our officers will be handing out invitations to that event.”

On Saturday, Nov. 23, the “Homeless Awareness, Under the Stars” event will have homeless individuals sleep outside of Jethro’s and listen to inspirational speakers. Three local homeless individuals who have lost their lives this year will be recognized during the event. Two committed suicide and one was struck by a truck on Interstate 40.

OTHER NEWS

The task force and the Valdese Police Department have also established the following:

• Hosted guest speakers to help the task force members better understand addiction and rehabilitation challenges
• Serve trespass notices in Valdese, removing camps
• Work with courts for adjudication along with established court liaison officers to oversee cases
• Hosted an educational event on sharing information on the task force and local resources for the homeless population
• Asking the courts to order drug rehabilitation for offenders

The police department has made 10 arrests since the council’s last meeting including breaking and entering, trespassing, and drug possession.

The Olive Branch Ministry, a local rehabilitation resource, will speak at the next task force meeting.

Sharpe and the task force maintain continuous communication with the WPCOG as they both help one another. “The partnership has turned into a two-way street, by making contact with one another on a continuous basis as each of the people in the partnership need one another,” Sharpe said.