Black fraternity hopes to bridge gap between local youth, police

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Beaufort County chapter is hosting a symposium Saturday to teach black youth how to respond and engage with law enforcement officers.

Omega Alpha Alpha, the local chapter of black, Greek organization Omega Psi Phi, organized the symposium for the organization’s 6th District, which includes North Carolina and South Carolina. A slate of speakers, from judges and lawyers to police officers, will seek to inform attendees of their legal rights and responsibilities when approached and stopped, and to bridge the gap between police and the communities they serve.

Omega Alpha Alpha’s president, Daniel Allen, is a corporal at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, and has spent his 10-year career at the department. He said he hopes the symposium will draw about 50 children and teenagers from local high schools and churches, but would be satisfied with a smaller group.

“Even if it’s one or two that can learn something from it, we’d be happy to give some knowledge to someone,” Allen said Thursday.

The public event will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa, 1 Hotel Circle, where the 6th District is holding a two-day council meeting. The public is also invited to worship with the organization at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Rebecca Lurye: 843-706-8155, @IPBG_Rebecca

This story was originally published December 1, 2016 at 8:39 AM with the headline "Black fraternity hopes to bridge gap between local youth, police."