SDPD and the City of San Diego hosted the second in a series of block parties meant to help officials get to know the residents of Southeast San Diego Saturday.
The holiday themed party included food, entertainment and a turkey giveaway for Thanksgiving. A street mural designed by Webster Elementary School students was also painted by parents and kids during the event as a way to beautify the neighborhood.
The block party is part of an effort by City officials to change the dialogue between police and residents.
A predominately Latino and African American neighborhood, some Webster residents told NBC7 they had rarely interacted with police officers in such a positive way before.
Jahron Mitchell, a young Webster resident, said the event has changed his mind about the police somewhat.
“It’s about coming together as a Webster community and having fun,” Jahron told NBC7. “They can come to events like this and teach kids to be responsible.”
The party was part of a national effort to ease tensions between communities of color and the officers who serve them after a series of officer-involved shootings such as Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, Missouri gained national attention in the last year.
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“We are very aware of the tensions between African American communities and the police,” Al Banks, a resident of Webster said at the block party. “The best we can do is try to live our lives in such a way that we don’t come into contact with police in a negative way. You know, I just shook a policeman’s hand right now.”
Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman took photos with residents and even busted some moves at the event.
“It should not matter who you are or where you live to feel safe,” Police chief Zimmerman told the residents of Webster.
Neighbors say parties like the one Saturday may not fix everything, but its’ a good start.
The next block party will be held in Lincoln Park in February.
