Rev. Jesse C. Turner – Police vs. politics
Police vs. politics
Let me tell you right away. I have no plans to run for mayor. Almighty God has revealed to me why I have never won any elected office. As clear as a bell God spoke, “If you were in town hall, you would be part of the club, keeping quiet about the issues that matter. I need you to tell the truth to the government.” I shared this revelation last year with some of my friends from the clergy, as well as with members of the Elm Grove Historical Baptist Church, where I serve as a pastor.
As a crime prevention professional with more than two decades in this job, I led efforts to develop two successful federal crime prevention strategies in the city called Pine Bluff Weed and Seed and PBICVR Central Park Weed and Seed. The strategic goal is to “eliminate crime” and “sow” in programs that help neighborhoods grow and thrive.
During my tenure as Weed and Seed Coordinator, the National Crime Prevention Council produced a paper called the Faith and Criminal Justice Collaboration, “A Collection of Effective Programs.” Involved in this collaborative initiative are the Pew Charitable Trusts, Indiana University, Baylor University, Harvard University, Sagamore Institute, the National Crime Prevention Council, the United States Conference of Mayors. and New Hope.
My work here was chosen as one of the top 50 collaborations in the country. My job was chosen by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs to train and establish new weed and seed sites across the country. I say this not to have the light just to enlighten me, but to reveal to this community that I have a position on crime prevention.
Receiving professional training in crime prevention, a master’s degree in community economic development from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, New Hampshire, and traveling around the country have provided me with extensive experience and a wealth of crime prevention strategies. crime.
Following the recent board meeting, I firmly believe that the city of Pine Bluff should re-establish the Pine Bluff Civil Service Commission, placing the hiring of public safety officers in the hands of a diverse group of Pine Bluff citizens; this has been previously argued. It seems to be a city on the verge of not recovering due to crimes and homicides. The number one magnet for attracting people to any city to do business, start and run a business, live and raise a family is public safety, period.
Politics should not be confused with public safety because this is a recipe for disaster and is becoming the ultimate key to the Pine Bluff coffin. The city’s population is steadily declining because citizens want to feel safe and no resident should have to leave their neighborhood or city out of public safety concerns. No disrespect to interim Chief Franklin, but the police department needs to have a solid foundation knowing we have a permanent head. In addition, the new boss will have his ideas on how he wants the department to work, which is extremely important for a new boss.
The longer the selection process remains open, the more uncertainty it can create for agents, low morale, among other things. There is no disrespect to the mayor of Washington, but your lack of professional knowledge of law enforcement puts the city at a disadvantage. Politics and friendship should never lead when it comes to public safety. There were a record number of young people killed last year who were under the age of 19 as homicides increased in 2021.
That’s why I’m urging the mayor and city council to get the Pine Bluff Civil Service Commission back on track and get started right away. We’re really moving forward and getting stronger together, allowing the PBCSC to look for a permanent police chief.
Mayor and city council, please make public safety your number one priority. All politics and the very appearance of politics must be taken out of this process. The city has lost too much time, politics has now been put in place, and councilors are taking sides, which paralyzes the process as well as the ability to get things done. Public safety is the most important function of city government, and the government’s priority must be the safety of all citizens.
The Rev. Jesse C. Turner, Executive Director,
Pine Bluff Citizens Interested in Voter Registration Inc.
