New NOPD coalition unites clergy & community to abate crime

http://www.louisianaweekly.com/news.php?viewStory=3397

By: Nayita Wilson, Contributing Writer

Posted: Monday, October 11, 2010 1:28 pm

A united effort between law enforcement, the faith based community and community organizations led to the launch of the New Orleans Police Department's Cops, Clergy and Community Coalition (CCCC) last week. With the support of more than 100 partners from the faith-based community, leaders say the initiative will mobilize stakeholders as well as the business community to maintain community-policing initiatives and help restore public confidence in the police department. "We have all seen the power of community support and participation in the criminal justice system. This coalition will serve as an integral resource clearinghouse for community policing, crime prevention, problem-solving and collaboration strategies," said NOPD Superinten­dent Ronal Serpas. Cpt. Joseph C. Dyson, pastor of Holy Faith Temple Baptist Church in New Orleans, serves as faith-based coordinator for the CCCC.  Dyson said church-based safe havens for offenders to confide in church leaders, citizen trainings and "think tanks" will comprise the coalition's structure, which is in the planning stage. He adds that community participation and feedback will lead to the success of the program because of shared interests. "Where there's unity, there's strength," Dyson said. The CCCC will also work with the community to strengthen anti-crime initiatives such as Night Out Against Crime, neighborhood watch groups and the Cops 4 Kids program. Pastor Nelson Dexter of Temple of Praise Ministries in Harvey serves as chairman of the neighboring Jefferson Cops & Clergy Coalition (JCCC).  He said he was excited to learn of the NOPD initiative and supports opportunities that allow for church involvement. "I'm looking for great things for them. And hopefully, sometime in the future, we can partner with them to make things happen Metropolitan wise and throughout the whole state," Dexter said. The JCCC is an independently run non-profit organization that has been in existence since 2004.  The organization is presently undergoing organizational re-structuring to be more results-dri­ven and has about 20 members.  The JCCC partners with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office to focus on teen development, prison re-entry and parenting.   To learn more about NOPD's Cops, Clergy & Community Coalition, contact jcdy­son@city­ofno.com. This article was originally published in the October 11, 2010 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper