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has stayed connected to the police in way that you can say, ‘OK, we can arrest an economic issue with the community,” Dr. Wil- son explained. “It’s about a way to offer support that is tangible with some economic infrastructure that has never happened before.”
Providing jobs and opportunities to work for the company will go a long way toward what Boykin asserts is stabilizing com- munities.
“If you can get labor unions to open up and bring in minori- ties, I think it would help in a big way to put people into the middle class,” he reasoned. “It can help them support their fam- ilies and choose a life of service as opposed to a life of crime.”
Hope for the future
Dr. Wilson advises that the revenue generated can be used to fund scholarships, feed the hungry and provide clothing for those who need it. It’s an initiative that seems to accentuate what police officers love most about serving: an opportunity to impact citizens on a one-to-one level.
The day after the meeting, Catanzara enjoyed one of those occurrences. One of the ministers had a plumber in his con- gregation who was trying to get certified as a minority business owner. Catanzara asked to have the plumber call him. He did. And Catanzara made whatever calls he could to help.
“We have the opportunity to line them up with the proper people to start those conversations and see where they go,” the Lodge 7 president recommended. “We have the opportunity to make introductions and network and be a good partner on that level. It’s not going to change overnight, but you have got to take the step, or you’re just staying stagnant.”
Another big push from Ramo, aside from business, will be voter registration. The FOP believes it can be a great partner on
that mission as well.
“Are we always gong to have the same idea of what a candi-
date should be, who a candidate should be or the same platform politically?” Catanzara commented. “Of course not. But that doesn’t mean that having more voters registered in this state and city is not a good thing. If we can co-sponsor voter drives, it’s a win-win across the board.”
And there is a residual benefit of the police not being painted as the enemy. Working with Ramo could generate much support for anti-defunding. These are not areas that are in favor of such action. Boykin reported that in his Oak Park community, they voted 70 percent against defunding.
All in all, the prospects are above and beyond the call of duty.
“I think this is potentially the biggest groundbreaking thing that could happen during my presidency,” Southwood declared. “These folks support law enforcement. I’m really pushing it from our end at the state lodge, and I know John is all over it on his end. It actually could be one of the most rewarding things we have ever done.”
36 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JUNE 2021