Transit police are a good example of community policing
Let’s look in at the Trenton Transit Center where a NJ Transit police officer confronted a person asleep on a bench.
“Mr. Woods,” she said.
Woods owned a seat facing south toward Philadelphia. He tilted forward at the waist with his back almost parallel to the floor. Woods showed no motion after the first call.
“Mr. Woods,” she said, this time more loud and he responds.
“Come on, Mr. Woods. You know you’re not supposed to be sleeping here.”
Woods apologized, found his bearings then rose. He voiced an apology, even promised to try and do better then slipped away.
The officer said she knows most local residents who use the Trenton Transit Center station as a rest area or for shelter during inclement weather.
“Being familiar with people, knowing their names, changes how we interact,” she explained. Her testimony highlights a need for Trenton police to begin walking beats. As Trenton police Sgt. Anthony Manzo espouses, “it’s important to know the players.”
Staphon, a passerby, accused one officer of harassment. “That tall guy stays on black people, never lets up,” he complained.
Staphon agreed that most people seeking refuge are African American.
Our discussion switches toward the power of change and that people can make up their mind to alter bad behaviors. He even supported an idea that police being proactive about vagrancy can serve as impetus for some to seek alternative shelter.
Commuters sat within listening distance of our conversation. Some nodded in agreement about ideas being expressed before Staphon departs for a bus that takes him to a job in Princeton.
Gary, an accountant who works in New York City, followed up with his story. Haitian parents who migrated to the U.S., his dad in 1968 and mother ten years later, birthed 17 children and all attended college.
“There’s a lot of success available in the United States if people are willing to get up and work for it,” Gary, dressed in a tailored blue suit, said.
The accountant headed off to work joined by numerous other commuters who get up, dress up and show up for jobs daily.
Later, that aforementioned NJ Transit police officer spoke but asked for anonymity because he did not have clearance to speak on the record.
“Yes, we make a point to get to know the people here, not just those ho may use the station as a place to rest but also the commuters,” he said. The officer then pointed toward a woman who roamed the station.
“She’s got a home, a place to stay but she’s here everyday. We know her story,” he said. “Of course, community policing helps residents and police officers. It’s a win-win for both.”
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist.