The What, Who and How
Cadets came together to build bridges with the recovery community as they beautified the campus of ARC (Acceptance Recovery Center), an intensive recovery residence that houses those struggling with substance use disorder and homelessness in Athens, GA. Each cadet made a donation of at least $15, with several cadets donating more. Donations were used to purchase 5 picnic table kits from Lowe’s. Several cadets brought drills, ratchets and screw drivers from home to use during assembly. Once the kits were assembled, the new tables were sanded using supplies donated by Cadet Jon Surine, who also donated his truck to tow the kits from Lowe’s to ARC. Cadet Brooke Hughes provided the trailer that Surine towed. Using supplies provided by ARC, the new tables were painted along with several older tables already on campus. Once dry, the tables were relocated to the “mess hall” area of the backyard. Cadets also spray painted old tires repurposed as planters, painted old window panes used to decorate the fence along the backside of the property, planted and watered the vegetable garden, and cut and re-stacked firewood. The cadets were on site from about 9:45 am to 1 pm. We were joined by other members of the community, ARC staff and residents. Brandy Anderson, the founder and Executive Director of ARC, was our point person from inception to execution.
The Why
In our current social climate, we are faced with a distinct culture of distrust and dislike of law enforcement. Each cadet will encounter this perception at some point, whether they are working in the jail or on the road. While the media highlights the transgressions of a few, the majority of law enforcement officers seek to do their job with integrity and respect. Even so, the unfortunate truth is that our country’s history is riddled with the marginalization and mistreatment of minority groups, both consciously and unconsciously. Our generation of law enforcement is tasked with acknowledging that history and seeking out ways to respectfully approach populations who believe we do not truly care about their well-being. We must ask ourselves how we can best heal the damage caused by those who came before us. We must acknowledge how we propagate the ideas or beliefs passed from former generations, even without the intent to do so. We must work side by side with marginalized groups to bridge the gap for future generations. One of the marginalized groups we frequently encounter are substance users. More often than not, law enforcement officers are dispatched to deal with situations that involve the misuse of substances, both illegal and legal. Historically, our society has viewed those suffering from Substance Use Disorder as weak or aimless individuals who simply lacked the willpower to stop using and/or drinking. As addiction has grown more prevalent in our society, it has become harder to so harshly judge, if for no other reason than “those people” are suddenly our mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters and brothers. As the science behind addiction changed, gradual strides were made statutorily, as well. Georgia’s Medical Amnesty Law (OCGA 16-14-5) went into effect in 2014. This law protects those seeking medical attention for drug overdoses from arrest or prosecution. While there have been some positive shifts legally, a negative stigma can still be felt culturally. It must be the prerogative of our generation of law enforcement to bring empathy and heart to the protection and discretion the law provides. Generally speaking, one of the main reasons stereotypes and prejudices endure is because groups isolate and insulate themselves from one another. It is difficult to maintain incorrect or over exaggerated notions of one another when we spend time together working toward common goals. Through these activities, we inevitably highlight our similarities, minimize our differences and relate to one another more. Our community service project provided an informal, yet productive environment in which this could take place.
Initially, many cadets were hesitant to donate their time and money to this project. Similarly skeptical, many of the residents of ARC were standoffish when we arrived on site. Several of our cadets came in patrol cars, which was hardly a welcomed sight to individuals who had previously had poor or stressful experiences with law enforcement. However, by the end of the morning, we were just people having a good time doing a good thing. I believe preconceived notions and existing stereotypes were challenged and even partially broken down for some. A few cadets who had been reluctant to donate funds in the beginning ended up donating more money and several cadets promoted the work we did and ARC on their personal social media. I was very encouraged by what I saw and heard, and, more importantly, so was the ARC family. I look forward to future opportunities for law enforcement to work hand-in-hand with the recovery community and other marginalized groups in the Athens area.
Submitted by: Katy Minchew, ACCPD Police Cadet
