Civic Journalism: Six Case Studies
CHARLOTTE, N.C.
"Taking Back our Neighborhoods"

But while Kronley wanted to partner with the Observer, he also saw the opportunity for a more sweeping crime project than the newspaper had suggested for "Taking Back our Neighborhoods." For that reason, WSOC termed its efforts "Carolina Crime Solutions," a snappy name that would cover a wider variety of stories.

There had been precedent in Charlotte for media partnering under different names: In 1992 when the Observer called its election project "Your Vote in '92," WSOC called it "Election '92." During cross-promoted events for the crime series, however, WSOC's title became "Carolina Crime Solutions/ Taking Back our Neighborhoods."

The name wasn't the only difference. Kronley was able to get some stories on the air long before the Observer published its first profile. When the Observer was ready to launch its project, WSOC worked with the newspaper to produce each neighborhood town meeting and a later Sunday prime-time special that appeared the same day as the Observer's report on a particular neighborhood. In addition, the station produced two enterprise reports each week, ran public service announcements, and aired personal safety tips with breaking crime reports. For instance, how to protect against a carjacking or mugging at an automated teller machine.

Police reporter Mark Becker was given two days a week and travel funds to prepare two-minute stories about potential solutions to crime problems in Charlotte and solutions already underway in other communities; his series aired Mondays. Reporter Kim Brattain had two days a week to produce a profile of an individual or organization trying to make a difference in Charlotte; her reports appeared on Fridays. Both aired during the 5:30 p.m. newscast.

Becker's first segment -- a look at code enforcement laws that could be used to close crack houses -- ran February 16, 1994. Since then, he has produced more than four dozen reports.

"I've been reporting 12 years -- 10 in this market. This has given me an opportunity to do more in-depth work, looking in a constructive way towards solutions," said Becker, who added that the satisfaction offset the odd hours he has had to work to get the stories.

Becker finds his subjects like any good reporter -- through research and tips. He doesn't coordinate with Brattain. "I don't know if it's good or bad but I enjoy the independence and the autonomy."

Guaranteed air time for a reporter is also an incentive. "Management has made a commitment to making ['Carolina Crime Solutions'] part of this newsroom," he said. Four days of reporter time per week makes it a "pretty high" priority -- especially in a newsroom where every reporter is expected to produce a package a day, he said.

Kronley didn't stop there; he added a part-time producer to coordinate "Carolina Crime Solutions." Lori Arrington, an experienced television and radio reporter, had been away from the station for a year when Kronley offered her the 28-hour-a-week job as special events producer.

She welcomed the chance. "In this job, I'm not just looking at the bad. I'm looking for positive solutions. Everyone at this station is part of this project. It's like a breath of fresh air."

Arrington quickly realized that the job was part time on paper but full time in nature as she juggled daily stories, produced the specials and spent countless hours in the neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, the Observer was expanding and fine-tuning its plans. Buckner was deeply concerned about the need to involve the citizens of Charlotte.

"My biggest fear -- it wasn't a huge fear -- but I was afraid that the neighborhoods would feel invaded by us, that they would feel they had journalism done to them," recalled Buckner. "What good will we really do if we all we do is deepen fears and make divisions?"

To forestall that kind of reaction, the Observer team focused on ways to involve the community, including:

• The formation of a core advisory panel in each neighborhood. The panel included community leaders, longtime residents, and others with a stake in the area; it provided an entry point into the neighborhood. A larger "citizens' panel" was composed of poll respondents who agreed to participate further.

• A partnership with WPEG-FM and its sister station WBAV-AM/FM, the stations drawing most of the market's black radio listeners. The stations tape discussion shows -- Community Focus on WPEG and Straight Talk on WBAV -- that aired the same Sunday each Observer neighborhood profile and WSOC-TV special appeared.

• News packages for each individual neighborhood that offered very specific opportunities - a list of neighborhood needs - to help Charlotte residents become involved by donating goods, time or services. The United Way of Central Carolinas agreed to help channel volunteers responding to the "needs list" through its volunteer center.