4 The Hampton Roads Messenger Editorial A plan for police and community unity


firsthand the candidate’s commitment to safe and unified communities.


City managers and police chiefs BY ANGELA JONES With all of the turmoil that has


been taking place between police and communities throughout the United States, I believe I have pinpointed one of the most common problems that exist between these two groups that I know, for the most part, want to get along. Removing renegades from the equation, I believe problems between the police and citizens can be solved by hiring more local recruits, keeping the lines of communication open between police departments and the communities they serve and offering complete transparency between police departments and the community.


We are blessed in Hampton Roads,


to have conscientious city managers and city officials who seem to be making an effort to make the best hiring decisions for important department heads like the Chief of Police. Citizens may think that they do not have a say in what criteria are used to select police recruits but citizens elect the people who hire the city manager, who hires the police chief. That is why it is so imperative to vote. It is also important to make an informed decision when one votes.


Voters should approach an


election as if they are selecting a mate. If elected, people running for office, depending on which office they are seeking, are going to make very important decisions that will have an impact on their constituent’s life every day. A local candidate’s campaign office can be contacted so that a voter can set up a one-on-one meeting to hear


are also available to meet with citizens when their schedule permits. I’m sure they would be happy to listen to citizens’ concerns. City council meetings are another opportunity to get to know elected officials. If one cannot attend a meeting in person, most cities in Hampton Roads make videos of their meetings available online. Citizens should go to city council meetings and show an interest in what is transpiring in their city. When council members see citizens from a particular part of town taking an interest in how the city is run, the council members take an interest in that part of town. That is how it works; the squeaky wheel gets the grease.


Citizens should ask their police


chief, city manager and city council members to do their best to hire local candidate to fill open positions in the police department. Many police departments around the country that have an interest in seeing a good relationship between their police department and the communities they serve are hiring locally. These cities have seen a tremendous difference in the positive interaction between police officers and citizens. If the majority of the officers hired are from the city they serve, they are at a tremendous advantage on day one as opposed to someone who is recruited from outside the area. The local recruit knows the physical surroundings better than someone from the outside the area and they know the hearts and minds of the local people better. In fact, it saves the taxpayers money when police departments hire locally because there is less of a learning curve for local recruits.


No matter who a police


department hires, it is important for the officers to feel comfortable with citizens and vice versa. One way to do this is with more interaction in a casual setting. This is going to be difficult for some officers and some citizens who may have a preconceived distrust for each other but it is imperative that officers make an effort to get to know the citizens in the areas they patrol


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before there is a situation where they have to confront them or someone who looks like them as a potential suspect. A certain comfort level must be established with community members and new police officers as soon as possible. One way this can be done is through regular community meetings with citizens, clergy, police and other community leaders to show a united front.


The media could also aid in


creating a better relationship between citizens and the police. One can only imagine what a new recruit from outside the area must think when they come to town and all they see on the news is negative information about


Norfolk Mayor FROM PAGE 1


July 2016


certain communities. The media must make an effort to show more positive stories about all communities. There is something good happening in every neighborhood in Hampton Roads and I challenge every media outlet in Hampton Roads to go out and report on those stories.


To report positive news has


been one of the goals of the Hampton Roads Messenger since we began publishing ten years ago. If we report anything negative, we like to offer a solution. We believe that if you are not part of the solution then you are part of the problem; therefore, we will always seek solutions for our beloved residents of Hampton Roads.


the ceremony. After all, we currently have the first African American president in the White House and look at the turmoil African Americans are experiencing throughout the nation.”


Mayor Alexander gives speaks after being sworn-in. Photo by Randy Singleton During his campaign, Alexander


While Norfolk residents appear


to be optimistic about Norfolk’s future with the election of Alexander, there seemed to be genuine concern that having an African American as mayor may be perceived, by some, as an opportunity to take advantage of the already high percentage of poverty stricken residents in Norfolk and blame the “African American mayor.”


expressed an interest in expanding opportunities for Norfolk’s residents. Alexander’s campaign website stated, “We owe it to ourselves and our families not only to improve our port facilities but to do all we can to prepare current and future generations for good-paying jobs in all sectors, to have the skills that attract and retain diverse corporate employers, small businesses and startup entrepreneurs, and not over-rely on military-related industries.” Norfolk residents are eagerly awaiting his efforts to make good on those promises.


Established 2006 Angela Jones, Publisher Chris Parks, Editor


Rae Willis, Graphic Designer Ida Davis, Contributing Writer


PO Box 10414 ● Norfolk, VA 23513


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