CPRF supports Chicago Police Officer's Bridging The Gap
Published by: Vi Nguyen NBC 5 News Chicago
A Chicago police officer for 20 years, Shanita Foster said she is working every day to bridge the gap between the community and police, especially in Black and Brown communities.
“We need to have a better relationship with the police,” she said. “Most neighborhoods that you go to—they’re afraid of the police.”
The veteran officer started a youth outreach program after her cousin was killed in 2016 called Neighborhoods Uniting Kids in Excellence, then during the pandemic she launched Bridging The Gap in hopes to build trust in the community.
“The goal is to get the officers to work with children because we want them to be able to break that ice be able to communicate,” she said. “We’re not here to hurt you or harm you. We’re here to serve you.”
Since launching, Officer Foster has partnered with the Community Police Relations Foundation hosting different events and activities in the city to engage the youth, from a night of basketball to boxing to skating.
The goal of the efforts is to bring officers and teens together to strengthen and foster relationships.
“We had officers out here playing basketball. We're human just like you,” she said. “We want to make it home just like you and we want to make sure you feel safe in your neighborhood.”
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