NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — For Denice Scott, creating peace in the community is deeply personal. Scott, the sister-in-law of Walter Scott, the Black man shot and killed by a North Charleston police officer in 2015, says her family remains committed to helping make North Charleston safer and more united. “We want North Charleston to try and be safer after Walter passed away,” Scott said.
That commitment is what led her to join the North Charleston Police Department’s RECAP initiative, which stands for “Rebuilding Every Community Around Peace.” Scott says the effort is about supporting both the community and local law enforcement in any way possible. “We’re doing everything we can just to help North Charleston Police Department police, be like their left hand or whatever we can do in the community,” she said.
The initiative recently brought together police officers, local clergy members, and residents for a “Walk for Peace” through the Dorchester Terrace neighborhood. During the walk, participants spoke with residents about crime prevention, neighborhood concerns, and ways to improve safety in the area.
Captain Tireka Wright of the North Charleston Police Department said the walks are designed to strengthen communication and human connection between officers and residents. “We’re walking for peace to advise the citizens of things that are going on in the area, certain crimes that might affect them and how to prevent them,” Wright said.
She added that the walks help both officers and community members better understand one another. “It helps to see the humanity of law enforcement and the law enforcement to see the humanity of regular citizens,” Wright said.
The event comes in the wake of a recent shooting that left 35-year-old Javon Brown dead last month. Wright said the peace walks are also intended to help communities heal after violence. “It helps. We’re healing the community as well as that family,” she said…