Photo taken from NYPD photo gallery.
Within the last several months, news reports of violence erupting between police officers and civilians have plagued the media. Surges of all too familiar headlines have plastered the front page of local newspapers: A police officer gunned down by residents or an innocent person murdered by police officers. Protests, court hearings and trials usually follow the event ultimately creating tension between everyday people and civil workers.
“I’m nervous now,” said Stanley Heriveax, a 25-year-old Brooklyn College student. “When I see them [police officers] I cringe because I don’t know what they’re about to do.”
While the fear of locals may be well documented, police officers’ concerns are similar. “We have a dangerous job and a huge responsibility to the community,” said P.O. Michael Echols of the 77th precinct in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. “When situations between a police officer and a civilian are publicized, we have to be extra careful of individuals who may seek retribution.”
In a community such as Crown Heights, Brooklyn where there is a history of malice between the dominant racial groups (Hasidic Jews and Black West Indians), the increased presence of police officers create tension between them and the locals, and should be paid close attention.
Richard Greene, a long-time community leader and the Founder of Crown Heights Youth Collective, a group that focuses on the prevention of violence among the children in the neighborhood, agrees. Since the 1980s, this organization has been an active force in bringing peace to the street corners of Crown Heights.
According to an interview aired on CW11 news at ten, Greene believes that with the proper actions on the civilian’s part, the violence can be avoided. His views are well respected by the dwellers of the parks and corners he unofficially supervises. Along with other leaders like Connie Cuttle, Founder of SAVE and Henna White, co-founder of Mothers for Mothers, Greene helps maintain a calm atmosphere by interacting with residents and suggesting ways for them to cope with the increase presence of police in the neighborhood.
“He’s a cool dude. I’m always willing to listen to what he has to say, cause he understand where I’m coming from,” said a 22-year-old male who referred to himself as ‘G’, “I just hope that someone is talking to them cops.”
Many people think that the presence of police officers in a neighborhood means that it’s a bad one. However, that’s not 100 percent true. I would feel safer if I see cops in an area. The people who are afraid when they see cops are probably the ones guilty of the wrongdoing.
I feel so safe when i see the cops around the neighborhood especially when i am going home alone later in the night. This weekend on the train at like 1:00 am this young guy accidentally jammed my leg, i am positive that the only reason he apologized was because the cop was standing nearby and watching him sternly.
I wish there were more cops in my neighborhood. There is alot of activity at the local corner store especially in the summer time. There has been times when I am coming home from work and I am somewhat terrified to walk past the store because of all the drug dealing and shootings that occur.