---

To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun:

[The following letter was sent to the Asbury Park Mayor and Council, Asbury Park Police Chief David Kelso and the Asbury Park Equity Committee.]

The Bible states in Isaiah 1:17 that all people, clergy, congregants & society should “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the parentless & plead the case of the widow” As clergy in Asbury Park we believe it is our religious/spiritual duty to seek justice and defend the oppressed. We understand that unjust policing practices and police funding to not merely be a local dilemma, but a nationwide issue that needs to be addressed. But since we all live or work in Asbury Park, we will address the matter that exists here in our beloved city.

As clergy we do not believe all police are unjust or unkind. We also collectively believe that there is no place for racism, classism, sexism, ableism, trans/homophobia, or any other forms of discrimination within any government organization including our police department. We believe that to seek justice a city first needs to create a process that demands accountability from all who commit oppressive acts. We are urging the City of Asbury Park to install a Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) to keep our local police department accountable to the community it serves, in a long-term day in day out way. An approach that can be consistent for years to come. We believe that the CCRB should have moral fiber/a backbone to be effective and keep our community safe. This board should have the power to subpoena officers for unjust behavior and the power to dismiss officers with excessive complaints of force. It makes sense to us that if the police are supposed to serve us, that we should also be able to participate in how they serve us.

We are also writing because we are concerned that 22% of the city’s budget goes to the police force, while only $100,000 goes to social services. This needs to change. It is proven that a city that has more mental health services, social workers, healthcare, adequate housing, and better schools is what truly creates safer cities for all its community members. We are requesting is that there be a reallocation of money from the police towards more holistic programs in our community.

In closing, as clergy we believe that to love our neighbor as ourselves is the one law that should govern all other laws. We believe that our requests to have a CCRB and funds reallocated is an act of love for our neighbors and community!

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter and the work that you do.

This letter was signed at the request of and in partnership with the Asbury Park Demands Police Oversight Group. www.asburyparkdemands.com

Yours in Service,

The Right Reverend, Bishop William H. Stoke

Bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey for The Episcopal Church

Rev. Derinzer Johnson

St. Stephen AME Zion Church of Asbury Park

Rev. Dr. Semaj Y. Vanzant

Second Baptist Church of Asbury Park

The Rev. Chase Danford

Trinity Episcopal Church of Asbury Park

Pastor Jason Jennings

The Rebirth Church of Asbury Park

Rev. Dr. William Ndishabandi

St. Augustine Episcopal Church of Asbury Park

Pastor Justin Hayward

Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Asbury Park

Pastor Gary Andrew Bruce Woodruff

Atonement Lutheran Church of Asbury Park

Min. Teon Willis

The Centers for Black Excellence

Rev. Allyson J. Estes

United Methodist Church

Rev. Nicolle D. Harris

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Elder Derrick Grant, Assistant Pastor

Asbury Evangelistic Outreach Ministries

Pastor Shawn Lelion

United Methodist Church

[This letter represent the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]

————————————————————————————-

Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

---