Incarcerated Youth Seek Better Relationship With Police

Editor’s Note: We asked young people at the Juvenile Justice Center what they thought the police department could do to improve relationship with the community. Here’s what they said.

Stop being racist. Stop harassing minors. Stop shooting people who stand up for their rights.

-Anonymous

The cops should stop harassing kids and focus on the bigger crimes. They should have two different types of officers: one for adults and the other for the kids to make the community more safe and fair.

-Anonymous

The Fresno Police Department needs to stop assuming we are all in gangs. There are innocent people who are constantly getting harassed about gangs. Cops are always pulling over minors like me. I’m 14 and I am always getting pulled over because I look “suspicious.” Me and my homies are always getting targeted because we live in the ghetto.

-Sammy

The police should stop being rude and judging people by what they wear. They should stop pulling people over for no reason. They should leave people alone when they are not doing anything wrong.

-Trayveen

The Fresno Police Department could provide more programs and work with the schools more closely. When a minor commits a crime they are arrested and sent to juvenile hall. Why don’t they try to start up a boys and girls club for “troubled” minors? Fresno Police Department could also provide schools with classes to educate juveniles on crime, punishment, prevention and public safety.

-Anonymous

To improve the relationship between the Fresno Police Department and the Fresno community, the police need to stop treating the community like criminals. The PD could help the community by showing us how to get a job and how to get back into school. Treating us like equals would help improve the community.

-King