Building Bridges Between Police and Community

I was watching the news recently and saw a story that touched me deeply. It was about a policeman, a white man, who would visit a Black neighborhood just to spend time with the children. The moment he arrived; the kids would run to him. They hugged him, sat with him, and told him they loved him. They talked together, laughed together, and built something rare—trust.

This is unusual, because too often we hear about division between the men and women in uniform and the communities they serve. Families feel unheard. Officers feel unappreciated. Fear grows on one side, exhaustion on the other. The result is anger, mistrust, and calls to “defund.” But none of that heals the wound. What heals is connection.

Wouldn’t it be something if every child could wave to the officer on their street, not with hesitation, but with joy? If the men and women in uniform were woven into the fabric of the community—sharing games, listening to stories, and teaching by example—so that trust was not the exception, but the everyday?

I saw another story that showed this kind of connection. A young man’s behavior seemed odd, and people in the community grew concerned and called the police. But instead of rushing to arrest him, the officer got out of his car and simply stood with the boy. They looked at each other in silence. The boy sat down on the curb, and the officer sat beside him. Still silent. Then, slowly, the boy began to talk. He shared his problems, and the officer listened. After a while, the boy smiled. They stood up together, found a basketball, and started to play.

That is what we should encourage—moments of trust, moments of humanity.

I will not speak against the men and women in uniform. They deserve respect. Every day, when they leave home, they put their lives on the line, not knowing if they will return to their families. Communities may feel frustration, but tearing down those who serve will not bring safety. Instead of criticism, let’s find solutions that build connection. Imagine what could be accomplished if we worked hand in hand.

Don’t we all want safe neighborhoods? Don’t we want children to play outside without fear? Complaints are natural, but let’s be clear about them—and let’s work together to resolve them.

We could create community gyms, places where kids go after school to release energy, to learn discipline through boxing or sports, guided by trusted adults. I did this as a child, and it was an incredible experience.

The idea is simple, yet people make it complicated. It asks for something that should come naturally: human connection. But to put it into practice, we must be willing to open our minds, to set aside old fears and habits, and to see each other not as enemies but as neighbors. Yes, it may take time at the beginning—time to listen, time to build trust, time to show up. But the question is, do we have that time to waste? If we don’t act now, where does that leave the children? Do we leave them in neighborhoods where mistrust grows stronger than friendship, where silence replaces laughter, and where fear takes the place of hope? Or do we choose to invest our time today, so that tomorrow they inherit communities built on respect, safety, and love?

I would like this message to reach precincts across our communities, but also the organizations that stand alongside them—churches, schools, youth centers, and local groups that care for our children. Please contact me so we can talk, whether you are part of law enforcement, a community leader, or simply a neighbor who wants to help. We all have something to contribute. Real change will not come from one side alone; it will come when precincts, community organizations, and families join hands to build trust together.

The bottom line is this: the men and women in uniform deserve our respect and support. This will benefit communities 100%. Imagine if, every morning, they were given the task of visiting a neighborhood—not to patrol, but to connect. To talk with children, to listen, to teach by example what it means to be a good citizen. I believe many of them would welcome this. And I believe it would change everything.

We could all look to fill the gap that kids are missing. This has to come from all adults—parents, teachers, officers, mentors, neighbors. It is an investment that will have a big payoff. My hope is this message catches on like wildfire, because it should be done sooner rather than later. Please help me to help others. More ideas, shared together, will serve us all better than one man’s hope. And I would especially call upon the great figures in sports—those whose voices and actions carry such influence with children—to join in this effort. You inspire young people every day; now we ask you to help inspire trust, respect, and connection. Together, with precincts, community organizations, and role models from every walk of life, we can build something lasting.