By Lynn Jones
On Saturday, September 7th, community stakeholders and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office representatives within the Zone One service area met to review and finalize their Community Engagement Action Plan. The Action Plan is the collaborative work product of individuals who participated in the Zone One law enforcement professionals training sessions and community stakeholders training sessions. The sessions were facilitated by Dr. Randy B. Nelson and Dr. Kideste Yusef with the Bethune-Cookman University Center for Law and Social Justice.
The Zone One Action Plan reflects the relationship between law enforcement and the community, specifically high-call volume areas, to create better public safety in the community
Since earlier this year, community stakeholders and JSO have held meetings to dispel community myths and practices. Each meeting and dialogue session gathered Intel on the urban community’s battle with law enforcement antics that appear accusatory and discriminative.
“Many of these action recommendations have great value. I believe they would help improve the stained relationship between the black community and the police.,” said Ben Frazier, President Northside Coalition of Jacksonville.
Frazier was joined by pastors, community organizers and advocates to from the community stakeholder portion of the sessions. JSO officers also attended the meetings to understand their role as officer and community liaison.
Officer John Nobles was quick to remark, “I was a foster kid. My father was in prison, but I made a vow to do better. I chose the options to be a police officer to serve the community. Officers face the same challenges as civilians,” said Nobles.
Zone One Community Engagement Action Plan Directors are scheduled to submit the action plan ion plan on September 30th to the Jacksonville’s Sheriffs Office. Shown is Zone One Representative Director Tony Davis educating community stakeholders on their support and commitment to the finalized Action Plan. The next action plan training is Zone Four Law Enforcement Officers scheduled for September 7 – 11th. kfp photo
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