Police Spark Dialogue, Address 'Distrust,' During 'Synergy 2020'

GREENPORT, NY — As hate crimes erupt across the nation, Southold Town continues in its quest to open up the lines of communication between police and all members of the community.

The Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force will host "Synergy 2020" on Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Floyd Memorial Library, located at 539 First Street in Greenport.

A detective from the Suffolk County Police Department's hate crime unit is slated to attend, organizers said.

"Synergy," the ABTF said, is a "series of respectful and open conversations between the Southold Town Police Department and all members of the community."

Past events have been held in Peconic, Greenport, and Mattituck, with the community bringing concerns on a wide range of topics, including enhanced communication and trust with police, fears among immigrants, how to create a bridge to the Latino community, school issues, and how to combat racism and discrimination.

Coming together to speak freely about questions and concerns is critical, Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell has said.

"Communication is one of the best ways we can address what seems to be a growing chasm nationally between law enforcement and communities. Distrust and misunderstanding, whether valid or not, exists. By bringing varying segments of the community and law enforcement together, we can improve our understanding of the differing perspectives that we all have," he said. "Communication removes walls. Perhaps initiatives like these, not just in Southold but in communities everywhere, can build bridges over that chasm."