Bucks Co. Screening Focuses On Police-Community Relations

BENSALEM, PA —Law enforcement officials in Bucks County are teaming up with civic and religious groups to screen a film focused on the relationship between police and minorities and others in their communities.

As part of the 7th annual MLK Teen Peace and Justice Summit, the film "Walking While Black: L.O.V.E. is the Answer," will be screened in Bucks County for the first time. The screening will be at Bensalem High School, at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19.

The school is at 4319 Hulmeville Rd. in Bensalem.

By director A.J. Ali, the film "shines a light on the importance of reconciliation and healing between police and other members of the community," according to a news release.

Featuring interviews with peace officers, faith leaders, educators, students, activists and others, the movie offers a blueprint to improve police-community relations and relations within the community overall.

"Bucks County’s police officers are collectively the fairest and best in the business. But we in law enforcement must always be sensitive to public perceptions of our officers, especially negative ones," Bucks County District Attorney Matthew D. Weintraub said. "By partnering with our county’s police chiefs to locally premier this film to students and police officers together at the MLK Teen Summit, we are proactively demonstrating our desire to talk about these critical police perception issues with the public they serve.

"By viewing this film together, our community-police relations will only grow stronger than they already are."

The teen summit, held annually to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., will follow a screening of the film with group discussions, during which participants will be invited to share perspectives and ideas for building a better understanding between police and the community.

The program is intended for high school-age students, as well as mature 7th and 8th graders, organizers said. It is open to the public and includes a pizza dinner for all students. Those who plan to attend are asked to register at The Peace Center website.