North County Churches Uniting Takes New Post-Ferguson Approach

                                       By Rance Thomas

North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU) has taken a different approach in dealing with the aftermath of the Michael Brown shooting, looting, and burning that occurred in Ferguson and Dellwood. Although it has participated in many meetings, forums, and prayer services in the City of Ferguson, St. Louis, Florissant, and North County, very little concrete action has occurred as a result of these events.

At many of these meetings and forums, many individuals expressed their anger, frustration, and hopes for the future but very little action or meaningful changes have resulted from these gatherings. This is also true with respect to the Ferguson Commission appointed by the Governor Nixon to make recommendations for change. They have held a number of meetings and discussion sessions that allow individuals to express their feelings, concerns, and desires for change, but little action has resulted from these listening sessions so far.

The Ferguson Commission is charged with making recommendations within a few months. Recommendations that many of us hope will be implemented; however, there is no assurance that these will be acted upon. Of course, the hope by those of us who see a need for change is that they will be used to make meaningful change not only in Ferguson but all of North County.

In any case NCCU has quietly held general meetings, forums, and committee meetings of invited mayors, police officials, clergy, and others to discuss not only their concerns but has also explored ways in which meaningful change can be made. As a result, in each of our events, the title of the event has been “Discussion and Solutions” meeting, forum, breakfast, or committee meetings. In addition, to discussions, it is exploring means by which needed change can be made.

This has been done through meetings of clergy and police officials, four committee meetings consisting of three police chiefs (Florissant, Hazelwood, and Clayton), a few of their assistants, the commander of the St. Louis Police Department North County Precinct, three clergy, the coordinator of the Criminal justice program at Florissant Valley Community College, the president and vice president of NCCU, and several other invited members.

Our goal from the very beginning has been to find solutions to existing problems with respect to the relationship between the community and the police as well as identify meaningful ways to increase diversity within police departments within North County and the Metropolitan area generally.

A major problem between the police and the African-American community is the lack of trust. This is the case, because they have very little contact with one another except in times of trouble. Therefore, they can improve their relationship by having more contact in various ways at times other than in times of trouble. Because of our meetings, we have made progress. For example, clergy and police officials have agreed to invite police officials to their churches and events so they can get to know the clergy and their members. Police officials have agreed to participate. One of our clergy members has agreed to coordinate bringing them together.

The mayor and police chief of Alton, IL were invited to participate and have done so faithfully. Based upon the reports from some clergy and leaders in Alton, they have implemented some of our recommendations. In fact, they report that the chief and some of his officers have been attending churches and some of their events as well as other events within the African-American community.

In North County, some police officials have been attending events at some African-American churches, and the St. Louis County Police in North County has held basketball games in two high schools competing against African-American players.

We will continue to explore ways to increase diversity within police departments as well as ways to bring individuals in the African-American community and the police together.

North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice (NCCU) consists of 22 churches if various denominations and was founded in 1998 to promote understanding between the r aces and social justice by bringing the races together around some positive activities. In addition to sponsoring various activities, it works with various organizations, including the University of Missouri at St. Louis, Florissant Valley Community College, school districts, local, county, and state officials. It also works with churches, hospitals, police departments, banks, and other organizations.

( Dr. Rance Thomas, phd, is a community leader and director of North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony)

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