'Synergy," Sparking Dialogue With Police, Community Goes Virtual

SOUTHOLD, NY — Despite a country deeply divided and a pandemic sweeping the nation, Southold Town will continue its efforts to create dialogue and communication between police and all members of the community.

The Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force will host this year's "Synergy" event on Wednesday, November 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. To connect to the meeting, click here. Meeting ID: 551 263 9776. Passcode: 594188. Phone number: +1 646 558 8656.

"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."

At last year's Synergy event, held in Greenport, topics of candid discussion included bail reform, tasers, and bias. Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley spoke with members of the community about issues and concerns.