Neighborhood parties help bridge the gap between communities and police

As a Black woman and former small business owner who became a police officer at age 40, I view the relationship between law enforcement and our community from a unique perspective. That’s why I hope Tuesday’s National Night Out events across the state will have a positive and lasting impact.

At the University of North Texas at Dallas, where I currently work, our National Night Out theme this year is “Building Bridges: Police and Community – Stronger Together.” The gathering will have particular significance following the death of Dallas Police Officer Darron Burks, who was killed on August 29th. We will honor Burks’ sacrifice with a balloon honoring him and the 105 other police officers who died while serving in the United States this year, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

This will be an opportunity to help heal our community by bringing individuals, families, businesses, first responders and students together for a common purpose. Anyone from anywhere is welcome.

The event at UNT Dallas will be just one of hundreds taking place Tuesday. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that takes place in all 50 states. Most celebrate in August, but in Texas communities NNO is celebrated on the first Tuesday in October.

Growing up in Oak Cliff, I had a connection to my community and a passion to make a difference – one person, one street, one neighborhood at a time. I believe it is my calling to change the narrative in policing. NNO is one way to do this.

Our responsibility is to find solutions and reduce tensions. It starts with education. Both the police and the community must learn from each other to better understand each other’s cultures.

Police officers should increase their knowledge of the diverse and unique cultures in the communities they serve.

Community members need to gain a more comprehensive view of policing that goes beyond visible symbols such as uniforms, badges, lights and sirens. Real education requires interaction beyond crisis situations.

NNO events also take place elsewhere in North Texas. The City of Dallas celebration will be held at Civic Garden Park downtown from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Salem Institutional Baptist Church, Light of the World Church of Christ, Willis C. Winters Park and District 3 City Council member Zarin P. Gracey are also hosting activities. This also applies to many suburbs, churches, homeowners associations and other groups. Regardless of location, your participation makes a difference and sends a message.

My experience as a police officer in Cedar Hill and now at UNT Dallas has taught me that perceptions change based on personal interactions. Our university is 77% Hispanic and Black, and 69% of our students are the first in their families to attend college. They are a curious but skeptical bunch. But at the end of every year they smile, laugh and talk to me and say, “Hello, Lt. Greene!” You tear down a wall, brick by brick.

Through collaboration and commitment to change, the same familiarity and trust can be gained far more widely across South Dallas, the city and the state. It takes more than just one event once a year, but even a small dent can change your mind.

We expect many of our neighbors from South Dallas and surrounding areas to attend the UNT-Dallas celebration on Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Visitors enjoy free food, music, games, entertainment, camaraderie and, in addition to the fun, a celebratory tribute to fallen heroes, including Officer Burks.

If you can’t come to our party, you can find one near you. Together, let’s build bridges that make our communities safer and stronger now and for future generations.

Deitra Greene is a lieutenant at the University of North Texas in the Dallas Police Department.

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