While last December’s racially charged threats seemed to be just a campus issue, the lack of involvement by the surrounding community was disappointing to some.

Kevin Chambliss, a former NIU undergraduate, said the fear he saw in people’s eyes during the December event prompted him to start a new initiative.

Because of Chambliss, a new NAACP chapter for DeKalb County is already organizing.

The new chapter will have a separate target audience and initiative from the long-established NIU chapter.

“The issue of injustice and racism goes beyond NIU,” Chambliss said.

As the DeKalb population grows alongside its economy, more NIU students are choosing to stay in DeKalb, making it necessary for an adult NAACP chapter for those 21 years and older.

“A lot of students live off-campus; if there’s a threat, it could involve others of DeKalb,” Chambliss said.

Community leaders had previously encouraged Chambliss to start a new chapter but the idea was put on the back burner.

Last December, Chambliss said a lot of things escalated.

“The whole initiative sped up because of the situation on hand,” Chambliss said.

When the new chapter reaches 100 members, the NAACP national board will give them a charter number to make them official.

Chambliss expects to have all needed members by the end of February. According to Chambliss, the chapter is already halfway there.

The chapter meets twice a month at the New Hope Church, 1201 Twombly Road.

At the past two meetings, an Executive Board was chosen and Chambliss was named president.

The chapter’s next plans are to have an open-door relationship with all city officials and other members of authority.

Chief of Police Bill Feithen said he welcomes the opportunity to learn more about the organization.

“I think that the time may have come,” said Feithen. “The minority population has grown within the county.”

The NAACP is joining with Latino groups as well to spread multiculturalism. Chambliss said he wants to break the myth that the NAACP only consists of African Americans.

The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 3 at New Hope Church, after services.

“Maybe having a county-wide chapter will bring about a better understanding of how we can handle issues,” Feithen said.