Resident pleads for council action on drug activity in her neighborhood

The City Council heard a resident on Monday give a tearful account about her neighborhood being plagued by illegal drug activity and other problems.

Candace Herring, who lives off Ambler Avenue in the Southeast Rocky Mount area, was among those who signed up to speak as part of the public input period of the council’s regular meeting.

“Y’all don’t see what I see. Y’all don’t see what I see,” Herring told the council as she began crying.

Herring said that she has only been living in Rocky Mount for a year but that the area where she lives faces problems because of drugs, a lack of resources and motorists coming through in excess of the speed limit.

“That’s not fair,” Herring said. “I’ve come here to Rocky Mount to better my life.”

Two people in the audience, Nathlyn Ohree and Evangelist Christy Stith-Banks, got up from their seats and stood beside Herring to provide her comfort as she spoke.

Herring said that she has eight children, two of whom are autistic, and that she had previously been a homeless person in Wake County.

“And what did I come to, because all I see is drugs around me,” Herring said.

Herring also said that she wanted to see more spaces and activities for the children because they do not have anything to do.

She also said that she and others are conducting a cleanup event along Branch Street, after engaging in a cleanup along Buena Vista Avenue the previous week.

Councilman Richard Joyner, who represents Ward 3, which includes part of the area Herring was speaking about, said that police Chief Robert Hassell and city staff are doing walkthroughs of neighborhoods. Joyner also said that he and others are working hard with Ambler Avenue residents and pastors in that area about the situation.

Joyner also told Herring that a Ward 3 community meeting was set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Victory in Christ Ministry off Old Wilson Road.

“We’re talking about the very same thing that you’re talking about,” Joyner told Herring.

Joyner also expressed appreciation to Herring for the hard work that she is doing.

Councilman Andre Knight told Herring, “We see what you see, but do others see what you see?”

Knight noted that the city has a nearly full roster of sworn police officers.

“We see it, but we need for other people to see it as well,” Knight said.

Councilman Reuben Blackwell expressed appreciation to Herring for her initiative and to others for supporting her.

“If we’re going to make this a better place, everybody has got to be involved — and we’ve all got to get committed to do it together,” Blackwell said.

“And what you’re doing deserves everybody’s help,” Blackwell told Herring.

Blackwell told Mayor Sandy Roberson, who chairs the regular council meetings, that he would recommend someone follow up with Herring.

Councilman T.J. Walker expressed appreciation to Herring for coming up and for her courage.

“And I pray that this is not just a talking point for us as council members, that we implement some action because with the issue she’s addressing, that falls under code enforcement,” Walker said.

Herring’s friend, Kathryn Kelsey, also addressed the City Council.

Kelsey, while not a resident of the area where Herring lives, said that she goes there quite often and that the situation is so bad there that people are using illegal drugs while on the sidewalks.

“I can’t even be outside with my nieces and nephews,” Kelsey said. “And it’s really awful.”

Kelsey also asked the council about the possibility of putting signs along Ambler advising motorists that there are autistic children in the area.

“It’s really dangerous how fast these people are going on these streets out there,” Kelsey said.

Kelsey also told of her and Herring going to a food bank to pick up food for distribution in the neighborhood.

“She has a welcome wagon on her porch,” Kelsey said, noting that Herring puts food from the food bank on the porch for neighbors in need. “And you wouldn’t believe the people that come out there and get the food.”

The two have also distributed clothes, and Kelsey noted that while there are so many people in need, she and Herring do not have enough help.

“And we need help out there,” Kelsey said.

Kelsey also suggested more police officers on patrol because there is not much of a police presence on Ambler. She also said that people are using illegal drugs out in the open and that residents can’t walk into the store without being asked for money.

“And they’re right there getting high. I’m just asking for y’all’s help, please,” she told the council.