Proactive engagement between the community and law enforcement was a common theme at Black History Month Town Hall meeting on criminal justice.
The meeting, held on Friday (February 15, 2019) was third in the Town Hall series that has been organized by the New Britain Branch of the NAACP and the Black Democratic Club of New Britain for Black History Month.
The Town Hall meeting was led by Rhona Cohen, who is the Chair of the New Britain NAACP’s Criminal Justice Committee. Cohen is also the Executive Editor of the New Britain Progressive.
The forum featured a number of speakers.
Chief Gregory Sneed of the CCSU Police Department spoke about the talk his father gave him, as an African-American young man, about how to act in case he was ever stopped by a police officer.
African-Americans have had to live with the effects of racism that are still prevalent in American society, and how, especially for innocent African-American teenagers and young men, that may result in bias or even violence directed against them in interactions with police.
Sneed said that the concerns that led his father to advise him on how to act in interactions with police are still relevant today. He pointed out that every officer has a supervisor who can be complained to later.
Acting Chief Christopher Chute of the New Britain Police Department, spoke about the officer involved shooting on Chapman Street in 2017.
Chute said that the New Britain Police Department examined how the incident was handled, turning a microscope inward on the Police Department. He said a number of policy changes were determined to be needed and that he is implementing them.
Chris Watson of the New Britain State’s Attorney’s office, discussed hate crimes prosecutions. He said that the laws allow prosecution in cases in which someone is targeted for crime because of the demographic group they are a part of.
Torrence Conaway, a state family relations officer and local film producer, spoke about domestic violence and protective orders. He spoke about how his professional career led him to making the film, “Dominic.”
Conaway, in the past, has said that, “The purpose of the film is to give the audience insight into the complexities of domestic violence from a visual perspective.” He said that he is working presently on another short film.
Parish Allison of 25/7 Bail Bonds spoke about the bail and and bail bonding process, telling a real story about his experience working in bail bonding in the courts.
Pastor of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, the host congregation, Rev. Dr. John Walker, spoke about having been a police officer, himself.
After being hit by a truck on the job, Walker had to retire as an officer, going on to studies that led to his doctorate and ministry.
Dr. Walker spoke about his desire to see the police involved in the community, working with neighborhoods and congregations. He said that the police should be engaged in the community, and build relationships before more stressed circumstances arise.
“Come before there is a problem,” Dr. Walker said.
State Rep. Rick Lopes (D-24) joined the community members who were in attendance at the meeting. Lopes is the Democratic candidate in the special election for State Senate on February 26, 2019.
The NAACP and Black Democrats have already held two Town Hall meeting in the series. The first, on the subject of education, was on February 1st and a second, on economic development and housing, was on February 8th.
The final Town Hall meeting in the planned series is to be on February 22nd on health care, Social Security and Medicare. It is planned to be at the Peace Baptist Church.
The Town Hall meeting series is being organized under the theme, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community.”
