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Jamaica church reaches out to NYPD to engage

By Sadef Ali Kully

NYPD Community Affairs Sgt. Dwayne Palmer doesn’t need a microphone. A former Marine, his vocals cords could be heard working loud and clear across the mostly empty Bethany Baptist Church on 160th Street in Jamaica during the youth group meeting on community relations with the Police Department late last week.

Scattered groups of young men and women, ranging from high school to freshmen in college, sat on both sides of the church to hear what Palmer had to say.

“I am here to openly answer questions, just be respectful,” said Palmer. He reminded his small audience that “police officers are people who are willing to be in uncomfortable positions to make a change” before Palmer began his awareness presentation on the rights and responsibilities of the public and the police.

In an effort to bridge the gap between police and young people from the Jamaica area, Franck Joseph II, the youth minister for Bethany Baptist Church, reached out to NYPD community affairs to have them explain what happens to people when they interact with the police, whether it is for assistance, as a suspect or as a community member.

“We, as a church, were proactive,” said Joseph, who has been with the church for over 10 years. “I think it has to be on both sides when creating the relationship. This just isn’t about policing. I think it is time that young people know that they have a voice”

Palmer faced some tough questions from the youth group. With two law students in the crowd, it became a serious detailed discussion on what mere suspicion means as well as subjective and objective standard of proof. Others shared their police experiences for advice. Young men in the audience asked about their shooting training and Palmer responded bluntly, “We are trained to shoot to stop.”

Recently, the NYPD, launched different initiatives to connect with local communities after the outrage over the death of Eric Garner, who died in a police chokehold in Staten Island last year.

“What I found surprising was that I didn’t know there were so many steps and why you don’t hear about these things in the news? Especially since the cases like Brown and Garner happened,” said Deandra Simon, 17, a student at Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences high school.

She was reacting to his description of the different methods officers use to assess the situation before any action is taken.

Palmer ended his presentation weighing in on how important it was to continue the dialogue. It was Palmer’s second presentation at the Bethany Baptist Church. The first event focused on the abuse and signs of prescription medication.

Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by e-mail at skully@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4546.