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

On four inside pages devoted completely to the series, readers were shown how crime affected other Charlotte residents emotionally and economically, and they were introduced to residents who were working to fix their neighborhoods. Key problems -- drug abuse, guns, unemployment, unsupervised children -- identified by the poll were explored in six sidebars that included some potential solutions. Each problem was seen through the eyes of a resident. For instance, instead of reporting that 72 percent of those polled believe the availability of guns contribute greatly to crime and that 67 percent believe tougher penalties for illegal firearm sales would reduce the problem, the Observer introduced Rogers Worthy, a former cab driver shot in the head by a rider. The bullet was still in his head.

The project's launch continued at 6:30 that night with a half-hour special on WSOC-TV that included a roundtable discussion about crime solutions; the panelists were residents of the troubled neighborhoods, law enforcement officials, and civic leaders.

The poll launch set the stage for the first of the neighborhood profile packages: Seversville, where one in every nine residents had been the victim of violent crime.

The partners established a pattern in Seversville that continued to evolve but became the template for 10 neighborhood profiles:

• Starting with poll participants and community leaders, the reporters and Price-Patterson made contacts in the area. Price-Patterson started gathering information for the neighborhood's "needs list."

• With input from others, Price-Patterson organized an advisory panel and planned a meeting in the neighborhood for the reporters and editors to explain the project and hear about the community's problems. The Seversville advisory panel of 15 people, for instance, met for two hours on June 16 in a small meeting room at an apartment complex. The discussion about crack houses, unemployment, and a desire for parents to take responsibility for their own children was credited later with influencing the Observer's coverage.

• A town meeting was scheduled at a neighborhood church or school. WSOC-TV produced these events, which became the centerpiece of its half-hour special several weeks later; the partners cross-promoted the meeting. Arrington and Price-Patterson papered the neighborhood with fliers urging residents to attend.

• Either before or after the town meeting, the United Way sponsored a "resource fair" to showcase such agencies as Legal Services and Crime Watch that could work with residents to solve some of the neighborhood's problems. At the Seversville fair, more than 60 residents signed up to participate in a new Crime Watch; within weeks that number quadrupled.

• WSOC anchor Bill Walker moderated the town meeting. It was covered as spot news by the newspaper, radio stations, and television and taped by WSOC for the special. WPEG also taped the event for use in its special reports. More than 200 people turned out for the first town meeting on the evening of June 28 at the Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church in Seversville.