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By Colette Dell

Due to recent events of violence between police officers and those of the black community that have been happening across the nation, Shiloh Church called a meeting on Friday, July 29 at 6 p.m. to explore ways that local communities and their police officers could build better relationships.

Town Hall Meeting addresses police and municipality relationships

Locals who were in attendance were concerned that people do not seem to come together as they used to or have the same respect for one another. They wanted to hear feedback from pastors, public officials and police officers who attended to learn of any activities they could participate in to help them build relationships with the police officers of their communities.

Bethel Park Councilman Tim Moury mentioned “National Night Out” as a good way to meet and talk to the local police, but he said to just go up and greet them wherever we see them. Too often, people only see officers in a time of emergency and never think to just talk to them or show gratitude for what they do.

Moury said, “The next time you see a police officer, go up and say, ‘Hi,’ thank them and introduce yourself. I think the more we do that the better the occasion is going to be.”

Pastor Karen Hecht shared a time she and others from her church were talking to an officer and they asked him how they could be of help to those who serve in the police force.

“When we asked them what they needed, they said, ‘Prayer, we need lots of prayer. And when you see us, don’t be afraid to stop and pray for us,’” Hecht recalled.

Attendees asked about the various ways kids could get acquainted with their local officers. Bethel Park Police Chief Tim O’Conner and South Park Police Chief Dennis McDonough responded. Bethel has programs such as the “Citizens Police Academy” and “Police Pals” and both the Bethel Park and South Park police work to keep in touch with their local schools throughout the school year. Chief McDonough said that he and other officers frequent the school grounds so the kids can get used to them being around and not have a fear of them. “We’re there every day. Every day, we’re interacting with the kids,” Chief McDonough said.

PA State Representative Rick Saccone added his thoughts concerning how kids are growing up wrongfully influenced and therefore don't have the respect for authority that they should have. “Our kids are growing up where profanity and vulgarity and disrespect for authority and disrespect for the law is commonplace – that’s what their being taught, and that’s what we have to counter,” Saccone said. He continued by saying that the law and the clergy need to work together on this if they want to see change.

Pastor Jerrell Gilliam said that the pastors of the community are here to help and be that “go-between” that is sometimes needed in situations as this. “As clergy, we are offering our services. So, please use us,” Gilliam said.

As the meeting came to a close, Pastor Jerrell of Shiloh Church presented a plaque to honor both the South Park and Bethel Park Police Departments. Then, two presentation proclamations were read for each department. Sue Means of Allegheny County Council performed the presentation for Bethel Park and Allegheny County Councilman John Palmiere did the presentation for South Park, recognizing the officers for their excellent commitment to their communities.

For more information on this event and on upcoming meetings, contact Alma Gilliam at 412-831-3862.

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