Santa Cruz cops use photo exhibit to break down walls with Black community

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In one California community, Black lives do matter to police.

Together with the help of a local photographer, the Santa Cruz Police Department teamed up to display an art exhibit that gives a bird’s eye view into its small black community with a series of portraits called “Black Lives in Santa Cruz: What Matters, ” reports the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

The exhibit is being hosted in a community room at the police department – an unusual place given the strained relationship police have with communities of color and the troubling history of police shootings of Black men – especially in the sunshine state.

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Police Chief Andy Mills hopes the exhibit by photographer Allison Garcia will bring the community closer together.

“I think in this time and place in our country, and in our city, that people can’t speak with each other without screaming, this was a good way to actually listen to what people are saying,” Mills said.

Love to have you join Cathy and me today as we host Black Lives in Santa Cruz: What Matters. An art exhibit by Allison Garcia. Here is an example of this powerful message. @SantaCruzPolice pic.twitter.com/1GqE1uKrbK

— Andrew Mills (@ChiefAndyMills) April 30, 2018

Mills saw Garcia’s exhibit on display at the Resource Center for Nonviolence in February and asked if the department could host it.

A 2016 Census Bureau’ report estimates that only about 4,000 people in Santa Cruz identify as black. That would make up about barely two percent of its population.

While some residents appreciate the intent behind the exhibit others question its impact.

“I think it’s great but my question is — why?” said Elaine Johnson, 59, who moved to Santa Cruz from New York about 16 years ago.

“It’s easy for people to interview us, but … once this comes down, then what?”

Local NAACP Santa Cruz County treasurer Akin Babatola supports the effort.

“This was an excellent idea,” Babatola said. “Among other things, we want to continue to build the bridge. I think just the fact of their sponsorship, and just the fact of this exhibit, more than ever humanizes the police department.”

The art exhibit will be on display at the Santa Cruz police department through May 12.

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