Of the American
All point bulletin: “Officer Friendly” is not dead. He’s alive and well, according to Earnest Green III, captain of the University City Police Department and president of N.O.B.L.E. (National Organization of Black Law Executives).
“One of the biggest issues for us is the lack of trust for police in our community, so we’re trying to change the way the community views police by interacting with them every chance we get,” Green said.
To show its appreciation, N.O.B.L.E. is honoring police officers’ and others’ good deeds at its inaugural Community Awards Banquet this Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel.
The banquet begins with a silent auction at 6 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m. and awards presentations at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by calling (314) 719-2999.
Proceeds will help N.O.B.L.E fund its community-based initiatives.
Individual awardees include Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay, Judge Jimmy Edwards, Airport Police Chief Paul Mason, Off. Mathew Browning and Gerald Shepard.
Collectives being honored are 100 Black Men, UM-St. Louis, Washington University, Mercy Health Plans, and Safe and Secure.
“We’re trying to promote community involvement,” Green said. “If we praise people in the community, they’ll continue and help us as well.”
Though N.O.B.L.E. membership is limited to African Americans, Green said its hasn’t caused any friction with white police officers. In fact, honoree Mason paid for his black police officers’ membership dues and helps with travel and training accommodations.
“There isn’t any rabble rousing,” Green said of N.O.B.L.E.
“No picketing and protests. We use intellect and work within the confines of the system.”