The persona of a police officer is to protect and serve the community. Some may often look to police officers as positive role models for children who inspire to be a law enforcement official one day. In today’s society that image seems to have disappeared. If you examine the community of Penns Grove, you will see that the residents’ perception of police has changed. The appreciations have changed in the people of the community. Many residents feel as I do, that there is a police chief that fails to bring accountability and responsibility to certain problematic officers. That issue within itself is toxic and psychologically creates great resentment.
After speaking with an inundated amount of residents, many believe that if Penns Grove had a progressive police chief like Philadelphia’s Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, community policing in Penns Grove would be different. Many residents have several complaints about certain officers and want some type of justice. Not all police officers are bad but you most definitely have to address the problematic officers so that the residents can have some type of relief.
Not long ago Penns Grove Borough Council passed a “saggy pants” ordinance because there were complaining community members that were tired of seeing young men undergarments. Well there is hope for the people. In order to get the police misconduct straightened out, the complaining constituents have to do the same thing the people with the issue of “saggy pants” done, which is “Complain” and sign “Complaints.” I am wondering when is the so-called “Police Committee” will take action to bridge the gap between police and community? There is no way an officer should stand on sidelines with children during the day then later on that night harass and berate the players’ family members and friends. So I say what the late activist, Fannie Lou Hamer said, "You can pray until you faint, but unless you get up and do something, God is not going to put it in your lap.”
Walter L. Hudson Sr.
Founder National Awareness Alliance
Penns Grove, NJ
