Paterson works to strengthen trust between police and community in post-Chauvin guilty verdict
The Derek Chauvin guilty verdict has put into focus police violence across the nation, as well as Paterson.
News 12 Staff
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Apr 21, 2021, 10:07 AM
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Updated 1,098 days ago
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9h agoThe Derek Chauvin guilty verdict has put into focus police violence across the nation, as well as Paterson.
The Jersey community knows what it's like to be affected by police violence - an FBI probe racked up nearly 10 arrests.
As for Tuesday's verdict, that's just one step forward for accountability and advocates say there's still more work to do.
Over the past year, there have been demonstrations all across the nation, state, as well as in Paterson, but it was all quiet Tuesday night.
Black Lives Matter Paterson's Zellie Thomas has helped lead the local calls for justice over the past year.
He said the verdict brought a sigh of relief, but added that the fight still goes on.
"My initial reaction was to let out a deep sigh of relief and I didn't even know I was holding my breath," Thomas said. "As soon as the verdict happened it was like all this tension from my neck vanished and I think that for a lot of us there was a lot of tension a lot of anxiety."
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh is vowing to take on the issue of police violence and as he said he will hit the reset button when it comes to trust between police and the community.
Steps in Paterson for police accountability include officers wearing body work cameras, more officers on foot patrol interacting with the community, and examine cases of abuse.
