In the wake of the murder of Glen Cove resident Jabbar McBride, concerned clergy, private citizens, and volunteers from Glen Cove service agencies joined Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp and city council members July 12 for an informal roundtable discussion in city hall on the subject of gang violence and safety of the city's youth. In attendance were Nassau County Gang Czar Police Inspector Robert Turk; County Legislator Diane Yatauro; State Assemblyman Charles Lavine; Lt. William Whitton and Det. Sgt. Tom Fitzpatrick of the GCPD; Dr. Sharon Harris of SAFE (Substance Abuse Free Environment); Judge Richard McCord, chairman of the Community PRIDE Committee who often sees some of our youth in court; Cantor Gustavo Gitlin from Congregation Tifereth Israel/ North Shore Clergy Association; Frank Pomata, Glen Cove Youth Bureau Director; Rev. Craig Wright, pastor of Calvary AME Church; Alberto Munera, director of Programs and Development and Pat Blanco, executive director from La Fuerza Unida; Eric Wingate, executive director of the Glen Cove Housing Authority; Lou Sanford, executive director, Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club and Donny Seaman, director of operations, Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club; Victoria McCoy (Jabbar McBride's cousin); Glen Cove School Board members Carol Sucharski, Frank Bouza and Fred Moore; Rev. Roger Williams of First Baptist; Rev. Jerry Turner of Salem Baptist; Raj Singh, Sikh Temple and North Shore Clergy Association; and many residents who frequent city council meetings or the mayor's office and are known to be involved in the many doings of our city life.

The seeds of this meeting were planted at the first regularly scheduled city council meeting following Mr. McBride's murder, where many concerned residents expressed a desire to get together and discuss the necessity of the entire city to unite forces and "save our youth." At that meeting, Mayor Holzkamp promised to arrange a meeting to talk about youth violence and hear other concerns adults have about the youth of the city. A crowded city hall was evidence of both the degree of worry and the willingness of residents to remedy the situation.

Inspector Turk complimented Glen Cove for its comprehensive participation among city agencies and the police departments and remarked on the ongoing relationship the county police have with GCPD. He spoke about the Taskforce Against Gangs (TAG). The organization is set up to share information on gang activity through gang databases. These shared relationships can bring about quick arrests, the inspector said, as in the case of the McBride murder, which, he said, "came about unusually fast, especially considering no one in the public came forward, and the police were very much on their own." The taskforce encourages redirection, providing alternative youth services such as mentoring, job training and helping young people write their resumes. Inspector Turk stated that prevention and intervention is the way to go, getting to a situation before a problem arises.

When resident Tammy Edwards spoke of concern for what looked like gang activity by the 24-hour Laundromat on Glen Street, Lt. Whitton encouraged her, and anyone else, to call the police if they see criminal activity, or even if criminal activity is just suspected. "We can't be everywhere at all times, but with a call, we can get someplace very quickly," he said.

Eric Wingate addressed concerns of safety at the Housing Authority. He announced that LIPA has finally come through with funding for lighting at the police booth. In addition, surveillance cameras will soon be set up on the property. Lt. Whitton added that while police aren't always seen on the property, there is a large amount of police undercover work being done at the Housing Authority.

Regarding youth activities, and the typical teen complaint of "nothing to do," the Pryibil Beach summer youth program, called Teen Summer Mania @ Pryibil Beach offers evening programs, as it has for the past 20 years. It is a well-supervised program, which has no history of trouble. Lt. Whitton said that the police check on the group periodically, but they do not want the kids to think they are being watched. "We just want them to know we're there because we care," he added.

Quoting Thomas Jefferson, Rev. Wright said that "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance," adding that "we can't shift the burden of safety to police or the youth board." He recommended parents learn the signs of gang behavior and find out what is going on with their children. "If you don't know, call someone," he suggested. "Don't get polarized with fear."

Rev. Williams commented that it is "our responsibility to get behind the mayor to help her do something about gangs and violence. A problem in one area of the city is everyone's problem. We must encourage Mayor Holzkamp to do all she can." He also asked if the mayor could get more information out to the public on what's going on with drugs and gangs, but as Lt. Whitton pointed out, it's to the police's advantage not to reveal too much information on their ongoing work.

Victoria McCoy, cousin of Jabbar McBride, remarked on the responsibility of parents to make sure they know where their children are, who they are with, and what they are doing. She stressed that Glen Cove residents need to "get together and look out for each other, and for each other's children." She added that people should do more than just talk to each other about business; the social aspect of relationships allows people to learn about each other, to find things in common and to enhance each other's lives.

Rev. Turner seemed to like the idea of getting to know one another. He suggested that city residents throw a citywide party, a barbecue, to be precise. "We would show the children and youth of our city that we adults can all get along, and we are there, all together, for them."

As the meeting ended, hugs and handshakes were exchanged, along with phone numbers and a promise to meet again.