Springfield Police Commissioner takes part in public conversation on race relations

Jynai McDonald speaks at the podium, she was one of the co-host of the public conversation about improving relations between Police and the city's black and hispanic community, held Wednesday night at the Rebecca Johnson School auditorium. (MARK M. MURRAY / THE REPUBLICAN)

SPRINGFIELD — Community activist Jynai McDonald, speaking at a police-community relations forum Wednesday night, advocated increased services for youth as a way to prevent crime in Springfield.

"My most effective solution to this is lets give our young people a summer job," McDonald said. "Nothing will stop crime more than giving our young people a job."

Addressing an auditorium of community members, elected officials and police officers at the Rebecca M. Johnson School, McDonald advocated for increased services for youth, while urging young people to respect officers and avoid sparking confrontations.

The city's young people need more incentive-based programming and extended hours at community centers, McDonald said.

"In the summer, when it doesn't get dark until 7, 8, 9 p.m., why do they close at 6?" McDonald asked.

Police and young people need training to understand each other better, McDonald said, urging young people to handle any abuses by filing a complaint after the fact rather than physically confronting police.

"We need to build a mutual respect," she said.

McDonald spoke before Commissioner John Barbieri took the stage, as the department attempts to repair relations between the department and minority populations. The department has won plaudits for its C3 policing initiative, which uses anti-insurgency tactics and community policing to fight gang violence. But the department has also dealt with police brutality cases in recent years, including a $575,000 settlement in the 2009 beating of Melvin Jones III.