By Howard Packowitz

Seeking to build trust with west side residents, Bloomington Police opened its Jefferson Street Community House Friday.

The city council voted in January to lease the small, single-story home at 828 W. Jefferson St. for only a dollar a year from Mid-Central Community Action, and Friday’s open house came as the police department faces the possibility that aldermen will create a civilian advisory board to review citizens’ complaints.

About 10 local Black Lives Matter representatives, including Cinnamon Porter, showed up to present Chief Brendan Heffner with a cake to welcome officers to the neighborhood, but she said African-Americans feel stuck with the stigma of being told they live in a high-crime area.

“Many folks who live here have experienced this mistreatment, which leaves BPD’s presence here as a threat,” said Porter.

“And, this is dangerous when people feel they can’t trust the police, who do you turn to when you’re in trouble.”

A member of the Jefferson House Community House Advisory Council, Candice Byrd, said the home can be a place to build relationships.

“Instead of just putting more officers here, we can take this building, have them get to know each other, said Byrd.

“Have them understand that’s a human being as well,” Byrd also said.

The city council Monday night will discuss, but not take a vote on establishing a seven-member public safety and community relations board. Friday, nine local organizations announced they support the idea.

Chief Heffner said there’s not enough evidence to justify formation of the panel, but he’ll respect the council’s decision.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]