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Concerned citizens say police need to be more open to Hamilton's black community

City leaders, residents meet Saturday to address concerns; session lacked HPD representation.

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 10:46 PM Saturday, February 11, 2012

HAMILTON — Police need to be more open and reach out in positive ways towards Hamilton’s black community, a group of concerned citizens told city leaders Saturday.

Community members expressed their frustrations Saturday to Mayor Pat Moeller, city council members and city staff at the Payne Chapel AME Church. Nobody from the citizens’ chief area of concern — the Hamilton Police Department — was represented.

“Our concern is not a new concern,” said Bishop Richard Cox of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. “There has been some division between the Hamilton Police Department and some citizens. Doesn’t mean that it cannot be repaired ... it needs to be looked at, it needs to be worked on and made better.”

Residents suggested that police were not open to communicating with residents and acted harshly and unfairly towards the black population.

In December, the SCLC and NAACP said was city had unfairly prosecuted Tyree Johnson and also made complaints over an incident inside a courtroom in which resident Linda Frierson alleges she was pushed, harassed and then charged with disorderly conduct by Hamilton police. Both Frierson and members of Johnson’s family were present at the session.

Cox grilled city leaders about how many black police officers are in the department (four according to staff) and if those officers had opportunities for advancement and were visible to the public.

Moeller said he knew some police officers were engaged in walking beats and saw them as effective tools to make the police more available.

“Communication is so important, I agree with this, but it’s a two way street amongst everybody here,” Moeller said.

Residents also expressed dismay at the apparent lack of employment opportunities available in general, especially for those with criminal convictions. A job fair will be held Feb. 25 at the Booker T. Washington Community Center.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4544 or jmcclelland@coxohio.com.

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