Police, Community Gather In Monroeville In Effort To Close Divisions

MONROEVILLE (KDKA) -- It wasn't the usual Sunday picnic in Monroeville Park this weekend.

People from the neighborhoods and churches along with police officers gathered with one purpose in mind: to try to close divisions that exist in communities by talking to one another.

"We need to talk across racial lines across racial lines , across faith lines across gender lines sexuality lines, we need to have real meaningful conversations, instead of saying 'those people, them' we need to say 'we,'" explained Reverend Scott Gallagher with the Garden City United Methodist Church.

The communication problems became more glaring after the recent police-involved shootings around the country.

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Robin Mungo is a Pennsylvania State trooper, but she's leading this effort as an everyday citizen.

"People were hurting for one reason or another and we realized we don't talk to each other, we truly don't, we just cover the surface," she said. "We all have to take responsibility, each and every one of us, this is our country I love it, this is my community, I grew up here I love it and as a community member I have to do my part."

Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole supports the effort to improve communication.

"Our job as law enforcement is to educate the world we need to know make sure police are meeting the needs of the community and continue providing a safe place for our future," he said.

Several local police departments will go door-to-door during this year's "National Night Out," and event that "strives to promote community and strengthen relationships between you and your city's public safety departments."