FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – Florence leaders hosted a community forum Thursday night to hear community concerns regarding police-community interactions.
They named it “P.A.U.S.E.” which stands for People Against Unarmed Shootings Everywhere. Most came out not to accuse Florence officers of wrongdoing, but to thank them for all they do.
“We have to step forward and embrace one another, embrace the police.”
Jamil Aaron says he’s seen his fair share of the wrong side of law enforcement in the past.
“I can say I wasn’t always compliant,” he recalled.
But now that he has children, and after seeing the recent violence across the country, he has a new view and a bigger responsibility to look out for.
“I came out to show that I support the police and I respect their authority,” Aaron explained, his children weaving about near him. “I want to let my kids know that it’s the police’s job to protect you.”
Representatives from the Florence County Sheriff’s Department joined Florence Police and SC Highway Patrol, judges, clergy, and other community leaders to field questions and concerns from locals.
Most of the questions dealt with better preparing for interactions with law enforcement. Florence Police Chief Alan Heidler said the body cameras all of his officers wear have drastically improved those interactions.
“We’re now able to get a definitive look at what’s going on when officers are in that situation and we can review it with them,” Chief Heidler explained.
Most at the event said they were ready to move forward and find a way to avoid violent encounters with the police.
“I listened to the president’s speech last night and I was so motivated and moved,” said Aaron. “I realized how far we’ve come in 8 years and that we can’t continue to harp on the past.”
The evening ended with a prayer for all members of law enforcement and for for a country hopefully less divided in the future.
