Page 40 - June2020 FOP Magazine

Growing up in the 9th District
n BY KAREN STAHL
As 18-year-old Jadiyah Davis stood on the podium in the 9th District on May 26 to receive a plaque in honor of her high school graduation, Officer Sabrina King flashed back to cher- ished memories of the beginnings of Davis’ volunteer work with the Chicago Police Department.
King, the Youth Liaison officer for the 9th District, remem- bered the bold 9-year-old girl who came to her first Kids and Cops meeting at McKinley Park Library with her mother in 2011.
Through those bimonthly meetings about ongoing activities with children and officers, King immediately recognized the young girl’s aptitude for leadership and quickly began filling a mentorship role.
“She was heavily involved in any sort of event, like St. Jude or anything we ever had going on,” King recalled. “And she would always volunteer to go first, for everything. She always wanted to participate; I never had to beg her to participate.”
And Davis led in the face of significant trauma. After having two brothers murdered on the city streets and a mother who went through a domestic abuse case, the young woman still managed to make straight As her entire educational career and weave herself into the fabric of the 9th District.
As the current president of the Youth District Advisory Coun- cil, Davis and her influence are sure to be felt even after she leaves to attend Indiana University Bloomington in the fall on a full scholarship.
“To see her go from this little girl into a woman who is so suc- cessful in everything she touches is amazing,” King said. “Her mom had her, but I feel like I’m part of her success because of the partnership we had. A lot of kids are like, ‘I’m shy and afraid of crowds,’ but Jadiyah isn’t like that.”
Davis stood on
the podium after
a graduation ve-
hicle parade to re-
ceive an honorable
mention for her
character, com-
munity involve-
ment and dedica-
tion to the 9th District, and she was all smiles under her mask.
“I’m very, very honored to have this happen to me, especial- ly with the circumstances,” Davis announced into the micro- phone. “Thank you so much, everybody, for coming out.”
And King, seeing the eyes of that bold 9-year-old but the ma- turity of a powerhouse woman, felt her heart swell with pride. She’s planning a small ceremony for 28 graduates on July 10, when Davis will get the chance to walk across the stage and cel- ebrate everything she’s invested in the 9th District.
“We’re going to keep this relationship up, even though she’ll be away at school,” King said. “It feels really good to see one of my own doing everything she’s done and will continue to do.”
40 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ JULY 2020
Officers, community members unite to move forward after unrest
n BY KAREN STAHL AND DAN CAMPANA
Gathered at 68th and Halstead, Chicago Police Officers and faith leaders from Englewood stood side by side in a show of spiritual force.
The pastors spoke of a community stepping up to protect itself amid uneasy times, and of officers from the 7th District who are a part of that community working toward a common cause. With hands raised to the sky, the faithful prayed for God to watch over their officers.
“Bless you, officers. Stay safe,” a pastor said to those assem- bled for a street-corner sermon that highlighted the continued need for positive community relations.
Signs of unity between police and community members emerged in several districts after days of violence left some neighborhoods in tatters. Officers did their part to help the people they serve and protect begin to pick up the pieces.
In the 7th District, “Englewood Strong” became a rallying