NIAGARA FALLS: Police, community relations focus of forum

By Ronald E. Cunningham
Niagara Gazette

July 20, 2008 04:23 pm

— While we must support effective law enforcement, we must also exercise our constitutional rights to ensure law enforcement works as it should — to protect all Americans regardless of race, ethnicity or gender.
In an effort to improve interaction between residents and law enforcement, the Niagara Falls branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is hosting a police community relations forum — “How to avoid trouble with the police.”
The forum will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. John AME Church, 917 Garden Ave.
The event’s purpose is to enhance police-community relations and identify concerns of the inner-city community, including our youth population.
Among the topics being discussed are what to do when you are approached by the police, what to do if you’re stopped while driving, if you’re stopped on the street or if they knock at your door absent a warrant or an emergency situation. The forum is meant to offer helpful suggestions on how to interact with law enforcement to reduce the probability of conflict.
Finally, we will also discuss your rights and what to do if you’re arrested and you’re under the age of 18.
Attending the forum will be Superintendent John Chella and Administrative Police Capt. John DeMarco of the Niagara Falls Police Department; Capt. Craig Hanesworth and Lt. Steve Grapp of the New York State Police as well as members of the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department.
We’re very pleased with the cooperation received from Chella and all the members of law enforcement.
The forum is free and all are encouraged to attend. For more info, call 285-6432. Elder Irene Wilson is the chairperson of the Civic Engagement Committee.
Ronald E. Cunningham is the president of the Falls chapter of the NAACP.