Rebuilding police community relations in Syracuse

SYRACUSE-- The scene in Charlotte, NC highlights the strain between police and the communities they serve. Riots of outrage forcing a much needed conversation.

"I'm happy people are speaking up. They're sick of it and I don't blame them at all," said Porchia Howard.

Syracuse has seen clashes between police and the community. This summer, tensions high on the West side after a Father's Day get together turned deadly.

Over the last two years, Interfaith Works has been spear-heading an initiative to bring the two sides together. With smaller groups of people coming together to hear each other out.

"Eight to ten people who are led by a community leader that have been trained by us and a police officer who has been trained by us to take people through a five week session," replied Beth Broadway, CEO of Interfaith Works.

City lawmakers are discussing plans to possibly spend $30,000 on the program.

Josh King is pleased to see city leaders taking the racial tension seriously.

"One of the things that really resonated for me was Mayor Miner's initiative to really start getting these conversations to happen and work toward the solution," said King.

But, some say more needs to be done.

"You don't see officers walking beats anymore. You see officers in cars. In order to continue or re-invigorate that community connection with relationships with police we have to get police back into communities," noted Sharon Owens.