PEORIA, Ill. – The Advisory Committee on Police Community Relations met Thursday night and talked about the importance of police and community engagement.
Committee Chair Terry Burnside said that it builds trust between the police and city residents.
“It boils down to community engagement. Just aside from people being arrested and just being pulled over, that’s not positive interaction,” Burnside said.
Burnside said the committee helps with the relationships between the community and police.
“Our ultimate plan and goal is to kind of help bridge the gap and be the liaison between the community and police,” Burnside said.
Lorene King, Vice Chair, also said it is important for adults and children to have a positive relationship with police.
“It’s so important for the children to see that, so that they look at the officer through a different lens,” King said.
King moved to the Peoria area during the Civil Rights Movement, and said that relationships with police have evolved over the years.
“There’s still bad apples, on both sides. But, now I know I can talk, I know I can pick up the phone and call if I have an issue or a question, I get an answer,” King said. “And, I’m not afraid to approach somebody or say hello when I see them.”
King said that she personally believes in what the committee does to build positive relationships between the police department and the community.
