Atlanta Jamaican Association and Police Working Together

The Atlanta Jamaican Association and the DeKalb County Police have taken a major step to bridge the gap between the Jamaican community and the DeKalb County Police.
In a recent address to the Atlanta Jamaican Association’s monthly meeting held in the Hillside Presbyterian Church Hall, Decatur, Georgia, DeKalb County Chief of Police, Eddie Moody said he would do everything to work within the community to “bridge the gap” between the police and the Jamaican community.
“This is a good opportunity to get a chance to talk to each other. We are here to understand how we can better serve you,” he told the gathering.
According to the county’s top cop, community policing was the direction in which the department was headed, and the members would use all available resources to fight crime.
“I will extend a hand as Chief of Police. I will open my doors, and we will open our hearts as the DeKalb County Police Department to this Atlanta Jamaican Association. We really want to be your partners,” Mr. Moody said.
In his brief address, Jamaica’s Honorary Consul to Atlanta, Vin Martin invited the police chief to designate a liaison officer between the Caribbean community and his staff, “so we will have someone to turn to in seeking redress”. Mr. Martin said he would undertake to be the point person between Chief Moody’s office and the relevant authorities in Jamaica to explore the possibility of an exchange programme between DeKalb county police and the Jamaican constabulary.
“Whatever we can do to create a lasting bond of friendship between our two communities will be an undertaking which we will work towards,” he said. In responding to Mr. Martin’s request, Chief Moody immediately assigned Lt. K.R. Harrell to be the community liaison officer.
President of the Association, Bryan Carter also requested the Police Chief to assign someone to work with the young people in the Jamaican community.
Chief Moody accepted a plaque from President Carter on behalf of the DeKalb County Police. This award recognized the department for “bridging the gap between the police and the Jamaican community”.
It is widely believed that DeKalb county is the home of more Jamaicans and more Caribbean people than any other county in the metropolitan area. In addition, there are more Caribbean businesses in the county than in any of the other counties combined. Approximately 15,000 Jamaican nationals reside in DeKalb county.