WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderRockford accepts help from DOJ in wake of Barmore shooting

Rockford accepts help from DOJ in wake of Barmore shooting

By Marissa Alter

ROCKFORD (WREX) - It's been a week of high tensions and emotions in Rockford ever since last Monday, when police shot and killed 23-year-old Mark Barmore in the House of Grace daycare and preschool. But today, Rockford's mayor and police chief take a step toward helping the community heal. They accepted support from the U.S. Department of Justice.

We've heard calls from the community for a federal investigation into the Barmore shooting. That's something that may happen in the future. But Rockford's current involvement with the DOJ is different. It's not with the investigation arm but with the department's community relations service.

One day after sitting down with the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rockford's mayor and police chief met with members of the Community Relations Service of the Department of Justice.

"They provide services to communities that are going through challenging police-community relations as our community has certainly had its share of over the past week," explained Mayor Larry Morrissey.

Among the services: mediation, technical assistance, training, and conciliation.

Mayor Morrissey says last week's events--not just the shooting but Jackson's visit--put Rockford on the DOJ's radar. The Community Relations Service reached out to help, something the mayor says the city accepted.

"What this really does is begin a dialogue, a discussion that's going to be moderated and supported. They can overall be part of what's been a long-term goal for us which is building a strong community policing model for the city of Rockford."

Morrissey notes that police have been on edge since Monday, but Chief Epperson says his officers continue to do their jobs.

"When citizens are going to need help from the police, we're going to provide that assistance. These are difficult times for the city, but we're pledging moving ahead professionally," Epperson stated.

Epperson also asked the FBI for an independent investigation into the Barmore shooting. It's not known when the agency will make a decision on whether to take the case.

About the Community Relations Service - (PRESS RELEASE)

The Community Relations Service (CRS), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, is the Federal government's "peacemaker" for community conflicts and tensions arising from differences of race, color, and national origin.  CRS was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is the only Federal component dedicated to assist State and local units of government, private and public organizations, and community groups with preventing and resolving racial and ethnic tensions, conflicts, and civil disorders, with the intent of restoring racial stability and harmony.  In order to fulfill its mandate, CRS has developed a unique capacity to facilitate open and honest discussions about race in communities across the country. 

For 45 years, CRS has been asked to provide its experienced mediators to help local communities settle destructive conflicts and disturbances relating to race, color, or national origin. Each year CRS' highly skilled conciliators bring hundreds of community-wide conflicts to peaceful closure in every State, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories.

CRS lends its services when requested or accepted by the parties. The Service uses impartial mediation practices and conflict resolution procedures to help local leaders resolve problems and restore stability. CRS has no law enforcement authority and does not impose solutions, investigate, prosecute, or assign blame and fault. All CRS mediators are required by law to conduct their activities in confidence, without publicity, and are prohibited from disclosing confidential information.

CRS conciliators work with State and local officials and community leaders to provide a wide variety of services to address racial issues and prevent violence. CRS' services include:

• Contributing expertise and guidance on methods and policies that calm racial tensions and conflicts.
• Enhancing strategies of State and local governments and community groups to prevent and respond to civil disorders.
• Improving lines of communication between parties experiencing racial tension or conflict, including Federal, State, and local officials, community leaders and residents.
• Helping schools and universities effectively deal with incidents of racial tensions or violence.