Winston-Salem plan to combat gun violence includes higher law enforcement presence

Local law agencies have formed a collaboration to reduce gun violence in Winston-Salem. 

City police will work with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, the state Highway Patrol, and federal agents to boost the law enforcement presence in areas hit hard by gun violence, particularly the Northeast Ward.

Barbara Hanes Burke represents the ward on the city council. In a video released by the city of Winston-Salem last week, she says the strategy is the result of comments made during an emotional town hall last month.

“We heard you speak about your fear for the safety of your children,” she says. “We heard your pleas to just feel safe in your homes and in your neighborhoods. And we heard your pleas to just see the presence of law enforcement and to feel a sense of safety in your communities once again.” 

Winston-Salem Police Chief Catrina Thompson also addressed the gun problem during a public safety meeting last week, telling reporters that on a recent Sunday officers seized multiple guns and hundreds of rounds of ammunition that she says were illegally possessed or involved in criminal activity.