By Ben Kuebrich and Steve Parks
The Gifford Street Community Press aims to unite the Westside community, create dialogue, and support resident-driven change in the neighborhood. The Press is a chance for residents to publish their perspectives on the community and on major community issues. The Press introduced itself with its first publication: Home: Journeys Into the Westside. Their second book, I Witness: Perspectives on Policing in the Near-Westside, will be released on February 16th with a public reception to be held at La Casita.
I Witness grew out of tension around policing in the neighborhood. When residents were told that surveillance cameras would enter their community, many unresolved conflicts between police and residents surfaced at community meetings. In particular, there was a lack of trust, dialogue, and communication between residents and police, all stemming from a history of negative interactions. Out of this tension, community members have formed delegations to meet with the police, particularly through the Westside Residents Coalition and the Near Westside Initiative.
In I Witness, members of this newly organized police delegation, and other residents, officers, and community partners tell their stories about policing in the community. Residents talk both about mistreatment from the police and about personal responsibility. Officers also talk about a history that is less than perfect, but that is also marked by care for the community. Both residents and officers recognize that honest dialogue is the first step toward building trust and true community policing. As Gary Bonaparte, a Westside resident featured in the book, says: “If you recognize people as human and know what they’re thinking, and have respect for them, you can try to overcome the problems these perceptions might make. So this is not just to tell horror stories, but to show how people feel and how they came to feel that way.”
Deputy Chief Barrette, a Syracuse Police officer featured in the book, explains that “police don’t see people at their best. They’re usually pissed off or have been victimized.” Describing officers who read the book and take part in the Police Delegation events, Barrette says “it will be good for them to take a step back and see people in a different kind of perspective.” Clearly, both residents and officers are committed to renewing dialogue and reconsidering their perceptions of one another.
Finally, Isaac Rothwell says “I’d like to see a way that residents who’ve had bad encounters with the Syracuse Police Department are able to express it and have an outlet for that. Also, I think there should be an outlet for police.” The Gifford Street Press hopes that I Witness and future events scheduled by the Police Delegation can be that outlet, and that future books can continue the work of positive social change in the neighborhood.
We hope to see everyone at the February 16th release event, from 5:30-7pm at La Casita where they can learn more about how to get involved with the Westside Police Delegation and the Gifford Street Community Press (giffordstreetcommunitypress.org).