Symposium Bridges Communication Gap Between Police And Students

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Jamari Hodge, 16, listens as Detective Mike Tuley from the East Hazel Crest Police Department explains why police enforce curfew. (Photo Credit: Mary Montgomery)
Jamari Hodge, 16, listens as Detective Mike Tuley from the East Hazel Crest Police Department explains why police enforce curfew. (Photo Credit: Mary Montgomery)

Teens and law enforcement officers from several South Suburban towns attended Can You Hear Me Now?: Bridging the Gap Between Law Enforcement and Teens last month at Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills.

The Hillcrest High School Can You Hear Me Now? campaign is part of a series of police/teen dialogues being sponsored by Chicago Area Project and Youth As Resources (CAP/YAR). This particular dialogue was presented in conjunction with the Markham Police Departments Juvenile Development Program.

Students from several local high schools were present at the symposium. Among the schools represented were Bremen High School in Midlothian and Thornwood High School in South Holland.

Area law Enforcement officials from Markham, Country Club Hills, Phoenix, East Hazel Crest and Hazel Crest were also in attendance.

The series attempts to bridge the communication gap between youth and police by hosting open dialogues, town hall meetings, public service announcements and other creative activities to inspire discussion and dialogue. The first event, held in September in Chicago, was so successful that many police departments are now requesting the summits in their districts or towns.

This dialogue was launched in the hopes of developing better understanding and interaction between our young people and law enforcement. These events will allow each group to gain insight into each others perspective, states CAP Executive Director David Whittaker.

During the December 13th meeting, police, youth and other adults discussed their concerns and stories of being stopped by police officers. One mother, Denise McGee, a Hazel Crest resident, shared a negative police experience as her daughter Crystal McGee looked on. As a teen, Denise stopped a police officer after being attacked by a man, only to have the officer accuse her of being a prostitute.

A number of police officers also shared their stories including Markham Police Detective DeShaun Walker who related a tale from his teen years about going out for chicken and getting picked up and accused of a crime. The negative actions of the police, however, only strengthened his resolve to pursue a career in law enforcement. He remembers thinking, One day Im going to be a cop and I will be a better one than you are.

Many of the young people in attendance voiced concerns about police behavior during curfew violation actions. Jamari Hodge, 16, a junior at Hazel Crest High School, for example, asked why police have to enforce curfew even if its only a minute or so past the appointed deadline. According to Jamari, she and her younger sister ended up being arrested and handcuffed as they were about to be driven home from a movie night at a friends house.

Several police officers, including Detective Mike Tuley from the East Hazel Crest Police Department and Officer Phillip Miller of the Markham Police Department addressed the curfew issue. We have rules to follow, Detective Tuley told Jamari. If we let you get in that car and you had an accident, wed be liable. Most of the police officers present agreed that youth need to make sure they obey curfew because its the law.

For information on future Can You Hear Me Now? events, contact Kathleen Mosley at 312-588-4733.

SOURCE: Chicago Area Project

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