Building Trust Between Police and the Community at Project H.O.O.D.
In Chicago’s South Side, many residents, especially children, harbor fear and distrust of the police. These feelings stem from long-standing perceptions of officers as adversaries rather than allies. To address these issues, I, Pastor Corey Brooks, invited Chicago police officers to my community center, Project H.O.O.D., with the aim of bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community.
The visit began with tension. Children were apprehensive, and some adults showed defiance. This reaction highlighted the deep-seated division that has been cultivated over years of movements like defunding the police. For over a decade, messages from various groups have painted the police as oppressors, creating a widespread fear not only in my community but across many others.
Significant events have contributed to this narrative. The death of Trayvon Martin in 2012 and the subsequent Black Lives Matter movement cast police officers as threats in the eyes of many Black Americans. Similar feelings were heightened after the events in Ferguson in 2014, following Michael Brown’s death. Although investigations revealed Brown did not have his hands up as the slogan claimed, the image of a White officer and a dead Black teen propelled the narrative forward.
This fear reached its peak when George Floyd died in Minneapolis in 2020. Calls to dismantle police departments grew louder, focusing on reducing police presence and reallocating resources. These calls resonated in areas like the South and West Sides of Chicago, which soon experienced the repercussions: increased crime and a decline in police morale.
Chicago, like many cities, witnessed surges in homicides. From approximately 500 homicides in 2019, the number soared to 781 in 2020, and 804 in 2021. These years marked some of the deadliest in recent history, disproportionately affecting Black communities.
At Project H.O.O.D., we work to counteract these negative perceptions. We invite officers to engage with our young people, answering their questions and hearing their experiences. This engagement helps demystify the uniform; officers are seen as individuals committed to community safety.
While fear doesn’t vanish instantly, such interactions sow seeds of understanding. Some children, initially frightened by police presence, are now curious about law enforcement careers. These changes require time and dialogue, but they are crucial steps in redefining community-police relations.
We must dispel the notion of police as adversaries. The consequences of sustaining such beliefs have already been too costly. By fostering these personal connections, we strive to alter the narrative for future generations, ensuring that our community recognizes officers as partners in safety.
Pastor Corey Brooks, known as the ‘Rooftop Pastor,’ leads New Beginnings Church of Chicago and Project H.O.O.D. His efforts include transforming the notorious ‘O-Block’ into #OpportunityBlock through community engagement and outreach. For more information, visit ProjectHOOD.org.