Teen Organizes Community Luncheon To Help Bridge Divide Between Police & Citizens
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami's future men and women in blue broke bread – actually pizza – with some members of the community who wanted to show their love.
The great idea for improving the disconnect between the community and police was thought up by a teen. But that was just the start of his plan.
On July 7th, five police officers are killed in Dallas. Less than two weeks later, three officers are gunned down in baton rouge.
Carlos Pinzon, 18, tried to make sense of what's been happening across the U.S.
"I've been watching all summer the police shootings around the country and I wanted to do something for the cops I just didn't know what to do or where to start.," he said.
Pinzon decided that organizing a community luncheon, serving pizza, soft drinks and desserts would be a small way to show appreciation to the Miami Police Department.
Police brass showed up along with dozens of police cadets – the next generation of Miami's finest who say a small gesture can go a long way.
"Often times we see stuff on YouTube that becomes viral. We hope this becomes viral because this is a child in our community saying we must say something to support law enforcement and we understand you go out there each and every day," Maj. Lazaro Ferro said.
Pinzon said, "I just wanted to give back to the police community to remind them we still love them and we still support them."
The 18-year-old thought lunch would be a small affair, but it brought out a sizeable crowd who heard from veteran cops. They also watched a video of what police cadets go through during training before donning a badge and uniform.
"We live in a time when people say there are no heroes and I want to challenge them and say they don't know where to look, this is exactly where they are," the video says.
After lunch, Pinzon's heroes got a chance to show their appreciation.
Wednesday's luncheon was held inside a gym, which gave Pinzon and the police major a great idea. Their next event together may be a basketball game between cadets and members of the community.
