Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batt's commentary in The Baltimore Sun was a good one but, if I may, I would like to point out some things that were not mentioned ("Baltimore police commissioner: There is a cost to reform," June 19). The department attracts too many who have nothing but contempt and hatred for those in this community — the community they are sworn to protect and serve. The authority of a badge and a gun give them an opportunity to vent their feelings in spite of the fear they still feel. When they do things they should not, they are supported by the "blue wall" of the loyalty of fellow officers, a biased system of justice that has refused to correct them when they are wrong and other unfair practices in our society. The African-American community responds to their perception of police oppression with hatred and fear, avoiding any contact with the police. The police are regarded as an unwelcome occupying force. The job of policing in this community is thus made much more difficult. Schools have difficulty coping with children from homes where there are numerous problems and academic achievement suffers. Young people often experience the shooting of friends in an atmosphere of lack of respect for human life. Growing up in this situation leads them to sink into hopelessness, frustration and anger, leading them into added hatred of authority.
What is required is the opportunity for more positive interaction between willing segments of the community and persons of good will in the police department. The following are suggested ways this could be brought about:
•Organize a Police Cadet group of young men 18-21 (currently the minimum age of trainees is 21). Each of these would be assigned to a police mentor who would give them training in police activity, be a high school graduate or working on a GED, earn a small stipend while in the group and have some interest in becoming a police officer.
•Revive Police Boys and Girls Clubs like those that existed in the 1940's at Gold and Calhoun streets. They were staffed by officers who then had direct contact with youngsters. These could be housed in some of the boarded-up row houses which could be renovated for this purpose and staffed by police officers. These clubs could even get into some competitive activities. The program could include tutoring help.
•When there is a problem in the community (or perhaps on a regular basis), there could be meetings of community representatives and representative of the police department in willing churches. In these meetings, frustrations and complaints could be aired and attempts made to resolve problems. Ideas from the community would be heard and heeded.
•Require that new police hires reside in Baltimore City. At present, there is no residency requirement for new hires.
There should also be a requirement for police officers to walk a beat, possibly in pairs, permitting more direct contact with the community.
Greg Bagley, Owings Mills