Police in Prince George’s County have been turning to volunteer organizations to help them put the “community” in community policing.
Tuesday 100 Black Men of Prince George’s County was among 11 organizations that received $142,000 in grants from the county’s Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative or TNI.
TNI is a keystone in the county’s community policing strategy that has helped reduce crime 40% from its high point while also reducing police abuse complaints.
100 Black Men’s mission is for successful African American men to mentor kids who are at higher risk for crime and failure in school.
“They are diamonds in the rough,” said Walter R. Kirkland, a founder of the Prince George’s County chapter, in the wake of receiving a $10,000 TNI grant Tuesday.
Kirkland is introducing kids to golf with a mission.
“Golf teaches them about life,” Kirkland said. “It teaches them about respect. It teaches them about the core competencies of being a man or a young lady.”
Ultimately the goal is to teach maturity and self-confidence which is fundamental to handling interactions with police, Kirkland said.
“Many of our kids have parents who are in jail. There are no role models,” Kirkland explained. He said the self-assurance taught by 100 Black Men is critical for young people to be able to stand up for their rights and demand accountability peacefully should interactions with police go wrong.
Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker applauded all the organizations that support the Transforming Nieghborhoods Initiative.
“A riot happens when you believe government won’t change, while a protest happens amid belief it can,” Baker said Tuesday.
