Page 34 - Florida Sentinel 5-6-16 Online Edition

Local
Groups Respond To Department Of Justice Report
Community Patrol Program Continues To Push ‘Stop The Violence’
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
As the co-chair of Tampa For Justice, and state liaison for Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Rev. Charles McKenzie has re- leased a statement regarding Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s comments on the report from the Department Of Justice (DOJ).
The report was their evalua- tion of allegations that Tampa Police had unjustly profiled African American bicycle riders by handing out an exorbitant amount of citations.
“There are times when it’s absolutely necessary to lay aside political expediency and address the moral question,” said Rev. McKenzie.
“The federal investigation of the bicycle issue revealed there were numerous things that were erroneous and wasteful as it relates to the policy imple- mented by Tampa Police in dealing with that issue.”
Rev. McKenzie said the re- port said it was ineffective and placed undo burden on young Black bicyclists in a segment of the community.
“The premise police used was
REV. CHARLES MCKENZIE
not perti- nent to the situation, because those issues we more prevalent in areas out- side of where it was en-
forced. There were 22 recom- mendations listed in the report. “The report did say there was no substantial evidence that pointed toward discrimination, but it was stated there is a dis- crepancy that can’ be explained unless the fact that some racist acts occurred as part of that
process.”
Rev. McKenzie continued
by pointing out that the report stated it appeared what Tampa Police suggested was that Black kids ride bicycles differently than other races.
“That statement in itself is racist. No apology for the use of critical public funds and placing an undo burden on one seg- ment of the community versus another was ever given, and for something that appears for all intent and purposes to be racist,” he concluded.
Since January, the Tampa- St. Petersburg African American communities have seen an up- rising in shootings and homi- cides that has claimed the lives of many young citizens. It all started at a local funeral home in Tampa where three young adults were shot. They sustained non- life threatening injuries.
The New Black Panthers’ con- cept involves the strategy of building community service pro- grams, or survival programs, meant to develop positive insti- tutions within the community to help individuals meet their needs.
The group has developed over 60 community programs.
Community Patrol is held every Thursday and is a commu- nity program under the New Black Panther Party. It gives the group an opportunity to be on the forefront to help cease vio- lence or detour it before it starts. They also plan on implementing their food pantry program with their community patrol. As they’re out in the community pa- trolling, they will also be collect- ing nonperishable items to help citizens in need throughout the
ALI MUHAMMAD
year, especially during their an- nual Senior Holiday Box drive.
Members of the New Black Panther Party Tampa Chapter, under the leadership of local chairman, Ali Abdul Muham- mad, have been in the streets spreading the message of “Stop The Violence” and “Bring the Resources.”
The group’s first mission was to establish a relationship with residents in public housing com- plexes by making weekly visits to Bethel Heights and Child’s Park in St. Petersburg, and Robles Park Village, North Boulevard Homes, and Belmont Heights
Estates, and other areas throughout Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
New Black Panther members have said when they reach the complexes, the first energy they feel is hope from the residents, and security from the younger kids.
“They’re all tired of burying friends, family members, and neighbors behind the senseless gun violence,” said Ali Muhammad.
“They want to live at peace, not at war and this is not the Third World. This is America.”
When the members of the New Black Panther Party are on the beat, its members say they are approached with complaints about programs not in the com- munity to uplift kids who are left idle.
On May 14th the New Black Panther Party will be hosting the “Stop the Violence Tour” in 37 major metropolitan cities. In Tampa, the tour will be at the Jackson Heights NFL YET Cen- ter from 12 noon until 5 p. m.
There will be entertainment and free food. For more infor- mation, call (813) 502-0338.
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