Mom Asks If Son Is Safe. Chatham Police Invite Her To Visit

CHATHAM, NJ - The events surrounding the death of George Floyd in police custody prompted Zandie Sutton to take to social media to express her concerns as a black mother living in a predominately white community. Hundreds responded, one of them was Sgt. Wayne Shivers.

"Please stop down the Chatham Borough Police Dept., we would love to meet you and your son. During these difficult times, your concerns are completely warranted, but rest assured, we are all one family here in Chatham Borough," Shivers wrote. "Dialogue during these stressful times is extremely important. If there's anything I can personally do to help, please reach out to me directly/ The Chatham Borough Police Department stands with you."

This week, Sutton and her son did just that.

"My son and I took Officer Wayne Shivers invitation to stop by the Chatham Borough Police Station for a visit to meet his team today; they all welcomed us with kindness and generously offered us pizza for lunch which was shared with stories, much laughter and music," Sutton said. "The Chief of Police invited my son to join one of their training days to see what they do. We walked away smiling and filled with optimism, they made us feel like family, we are so grateful to Wayne for organizing this meeting, it was a blessing."

That optimism was hard to come by last month for Sutton, who posted to social media in June that her she was afraid for her son, a freshman in Chatham High School.

"We moved here last summer for the school, but I've been wondering lately if we made the right decision because of lack of diversity. It is said that chances of being profiled by racists and police for young black males are higher in less diverse towns," Sutton said in a post on the Chatham Borough Facebook page. "I am scared for my 15 year old son every time he walks out with his friends to hang out on Main Street. I worry about him being singled out amongst his friends, mostly white, and profiled. I worry about him walking back home alone when it's almost dark outside being profiled. I am wondering is my son safe in Chatham? Is my family safe in Chatham? Will you stand with us?"

Shivers was one of hundreds of Chatham residents who reached out to reassure Zutton she and her family were safe.

Natalie Calder wrote that her family is multicultural and multi-ethnic and has lived in Chatham eight years.

"We have actually made some very dear friends here in Chatham. We have three children, and the two older ones have graduated CHS. While Chatham is not diverse, we have felt quite safe here thus far," she said. "Please reach out whenever you want."

Councilman Len Resto also shared his personal story.

"I am an openly gay, Puerto Rican man of brown color who is 67 years young and moved to Chatham in 1995, attracted by its small town charm. Initially, I wondered if I would be accepted. My fears were unfounded. All my neighbors welcomed me with open arms and made me feel welcome. I was not judged by the color of my skin or my ethnicity or sexual orientation; rather, by the content of my character. For eight years, we had an openly gay African-American Mayor who served two terms with me serving as Council President an openly gay Puerto Rican," Resto said. "I believe you will find Chatham to be the right place for you and your family. We treat each other as family, and we stand up for our residents."

Sutton noted at the time that neighbors who they haven't met reached out to let the know that they're here. Parent's of their son's friends reached out to let them know that their children are friends with their son. And community and business leaders reached out with invitations to learn more or even participate in their groups

"I learned that diverse perspectives, although not African American, are already represented here, and that more diverse voices are welcome," she said.

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