The idea is to have police present in the community before there is any criminal activity. In a recent conversation with our Police Chief, we discussed the possibility of local pastors serving as Chaplains to the Police Department. We are just at the conversation stage, but the idea of pastors riding with uniformed officers send a very positive signal to the community. Just think of the impact that such a program would have on our young people on the block to be greeted routinely by police and pastor. The ministry of presence will go a long way in dwarfing youth violence.
Pastors can be visible in our schools without violating anyone's constitutional rights.
I have found that my presence at sporting events, school awards programs and just visiting to have lunch heightens visibility. Our school system has a reading program that begs for volunteers to spend an hour a week reading to children. The local church is another place where I see an opportunity to stem violence in our youth. The church must be open to all people. Many of the young people are not members of our parish.