In Camden, police and protesters take a different path after George Floyd’s killing
“They didn’t try to use their authority to control the crowds," march organizer Yolanda Deaver, 36, said of Camden police. “They made it about the people, about how we feel. They stood with us.”
In this Saturday, May 30, 2020, photo, Camden County Metro Police Chief Joe Wysocki raises a fist while marching with Camden residents and activists in Camden, N.J., to protest the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Read moreApril Saul / AP
As Philadelphia shot up in flames Saturday, and cops forcefully cracked down on residents protesting police brutality and the killing of George Floyd, Camden decided to take a different path.
There, the city’s officers, including Police Chief Joe Wysocki, locked arms with activists, clergy, and other protesters, and joined in the call for justice for Floyd, the Minnesota black man who was killed after Derek Chauvin, a city police officer, kneeled on his neck while Floyd gasped for air and said, “I can’t breathe.”
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“I wanted the unity,” Wysocki said in an interview. “I was looking for peace. People had to be able to speak their mind, they had to be able to vent.”
Saturday saw a nation engulfed in tension, as cities like Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Atlanta saw protests against police killings escalate and turn into widespread looting and violence. But Camden march organizers noted the partnership they had with the city’s police force led to a much more peaceful day of protest.
“They didn’t try to use their authority to control the crowds," march organizer Yolanda Deaver, 36, said. “They made it about the people, about how we feel. They stood with us.”
Hundreds turned out for the Camden march, which stretched from Mount Ephraim Avenue to the city’s police administration building. Members of the clergy called for unity, while activists called for people to put aside their differences and work together to reform the criminal justice system. More than 30 officers stood in unison with marchers and shouted slogans like “No Justice, No Peace, No Racist Police.”
After the march ended, law enforcement capitalized on the positive tone of the day and continued engaging with community residents throughout the evening.
“We had pop-up barbecues. We cooked hamburgers, we cooked hot dogs, and we gave out ice cream,” Wysocki said. “We were trying to connect with residents in a positive way.”
Connecting with residents and standing with the community while they express their grievances toward police is a fundamental part of the Camden Police Department’s strategy of “community policing," according to Wysocki.
“You have to build the trust,” he said. “The younger generation, they’re upset, and rightfully so. ... You can’t fix that overnight.”
People gather during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People gather during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw spoke during a press conference the day after protests related to the killing of George Floyd, outside of the Fire Administration Building in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, May 31, 2020. The Police Commissioner announced that the National Guard had been called, and that access into Center City was being restricted.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Ross Martinson owner of The Philadelphia Runner shop walks through his damage store at 1601 Sansom Street as the clean up begins the day after the killing of George Floyd protests in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People clean windows on a dunkin donuts in Center City as clean up begins the day after the killing of George Floyd protests in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Blakely police line the perimeter of City Hall as protesters pass by in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 31, 2020. They were people walk by during the protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
A person is handcuffed and in police custody outside the Walmart in the Aramingo Crossing shopping center in Port Richmond May 31, 2020, as looting continues in the city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Residents with cell phone cameras are all over the Port Richmond area May 31, 2020, as the area is under a heavy police presence, including at the Walmart in the Aramingo Crossing shopping center, as looting continues in the city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
A brief heated verbal exchange between two unidentified people as clean up begins the day after protests in Philadelphia, Pa. on May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence, looting, and vandalism Saturday across the country.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Police interrupt looting of the Foot Locker store at 3451 Aramingo Ave. in the Port Richmond section of Phila. at approx. 4:20 pm on May 31, 2020. The children ran, the man was apprehended by the policeman and then ordered to drop the goods and leave. The woman was put into a police car, unsure if she was actually arrested.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Protesters and police at police headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff photographer
Jane Fine holds a sign wearing an American flag during a protest for George Floyd, at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People gather during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People gather for a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Protesters and police at police headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff photographer
Activist, Melissa Robbins speaks to a crowd during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
People gather for a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
A police officer uses a spray on a person at 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
An unidentified man looks on during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
A police officer walks near 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff photographer
Police move along Aramingo Avenue in the Port Richmond area May 31, 2020, as looting continues in the city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Port Richmond residents around Aramingo Avenue watch news helicopter and police activity in the area May 31, 2020, as looting continues in the city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
People with cell phone cameras stop to record the aftermath at a Walmart with plywood boards inside and a "temporarily closed" sign posted May 31, 2020, following s looting in the area along Aramingo Avenue in the Port Richmond area in the days after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Police continue to block traffic along Aramingo Avenue in Port Richmond May 31, 2020, after there was looting in area city following the death of George Floyd days ago in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Protester confront each other during a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Police along 52nd street, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Police deployed tear gas in the area of 52nd and Chestnut streets, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
Crowds loot stores on 52nd and Chestnut streets, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A man holds a lit tire near 52nd and Walnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff photographer
Police close down Aramingo Ave. in the Port Richmond section of Phila. at approx. 4 pm on May 31, 2020.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Jane Fine hold a sign wearing an American flag during a protest for George Floyd, at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Protesters and police at police headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff photographer
Protesters and police at police headquarters on Race Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreMonica Herndon / Staff photographer
At Snipes on Aramingo in Port Richmond, district manager Steve Leek (left) works with contractor Smirh Rooks to get the store secured after it was vandalized and looted in broad daylight on May 31, 2020.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Police gather at 51st and Market streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreAlejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
People gather for a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Police gather at 51st and Market streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreAlejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
People gather for a Justice for George Floyd protest at the Octavius V. Catto Monument, in South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA., May 31, 2020.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
A man shields a woman from tear gas near 52nd and Chestnut Streets , May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
The inside of a looted GameStop at Park West Town Center in West Philadelphia, on Sunday, May 31, 2020Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Police Officers arrive at the Park West Town Center to clear out any looters in the stores in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Police Officers arrive at the Park West Town Center to clear out any looters in the stores in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
A man protects his face from tear gas near 52nd and Chestnut on May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read morePhiladelphia Inquirer
The Ben Franklin Bridge is closed headed from Camden into Philadelphia May 31, 2020, ordered shut down in both directions by PA Gov. Tom Wolf and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy as protests continue in the days after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
A protestor at 52nd and Chestnut Streets, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read morePhiladelphia Inquirer
A Philadelphia Police helicopter flies over Park West Town Center looking at all the people looting the business's in West Philadelphia, on May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
People begin looting Lowes, Snipes, GameStop and T-Mobile at the Park West Town Center in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
People begin looting Lowes, Snipes, GameStop and T-Mobile at the Park West Town Center in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
People begin looting Lowes, Snipes, GameStop and T-Mobile at the Park West Town Center in West Philadelphia, on Sunday May 31, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
People run after police launch tear gas on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A man, who described himself as trying to keep the peace, watches a line of police on 52nd Street near Market Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A woman holding a trashcan lid shouts at police at 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A line of riot police standoff against protesters on 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
People run out of a Foot Locker at 52nd and Chestnut streets over a police cruiser carrying shoeboxes in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read morePhiladelphia Inquirer Staff Photographer
Police stand in a line on 52nd Street, between Arch and Market, as seen through a police cruiser in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A police officer prepares to fire off tear gas from the top of an armored vehicle near 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A line of riot police advance as a man walks backwards down Market Street, near 52nd, in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
Police drive an armored vehicle along 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A line of riot police face off with a group of several dozen protesters and 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A couple watched as police and protesters meet on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A protester raises his hands in front of police at 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreTim Tai / Staff Photographer
A woman looks on at 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney addresses the media on riots and looting in the city at the Fire Administration Building on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
A vandalized Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier at Washington Square Park on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
Police deployed tear gas in the area of 52nd and Chestnut streets, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreInquirer Staff Photographer
Crowds loot stores on 52nd and Chestnut streets, in West Philadelphia, Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreInquirer Staff Photographer
People run along 52nd Street as police fire chemicals into the area in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
People gather on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A man lies down with a sheet in the middle of 52nd Street near Market Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A man carried shoe boxes outside of Foot Locker at 52nd and Chestnut streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A woman holds up her hands as police approach her on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A woman leaves a business on 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Firefighters respond to the scene at 52nd and Sansom streets in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Two people walk near 52nd Street in Philadelphia on Sunday, May 31, 2020.Read moreJessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
A protestor stomps on a police car at 52nd between Arch and Market Streets, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A protestor roll a tire on fire towards police on the 5200 block of Ludlow Street, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A protestors jumps on a Fedex truck near 52nd and Chestnut Streets, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A protestor at 52nd and Chestnut Streets, May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
People watch as protestors interact with police near 52nd and Chestnut on May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
A protestors with a sign near 52nd and Chestnut on May 31, 2020. Peaceful protests over the police involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week gave way to violence and vandalism Saturday in Philadelphia and across the country.Read moreJESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
After seeing the looting in other parts of the city, residents living around the Target on Mifflin Street in South Philadelphia gather in front of the store at night May 31, 2020. Johnny B. (would not give last name) said, “you've got to protect your neighborhood.” He said the people just came out after someone thought they saw people looking at the store. At around 10 p.m. he said they had been in front for five hours, and “we’ll be here all night.” He said it has been, “very peaceful. We’re getting to know Neighbors.”Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Neighborhood residents living around the Target on Mifflin Street in South Philadelphia May 31, 2020 confront others who arrived at the store after they had been "protecting" it for hours.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
The department has been recognized in recent years for its wholesale reform of police operations to be one built on the principles of deescalation. Wysocki noted that in Camden, officers undergo constant training in how to alleviate tension with words and intervene in situations where fellow officers might become overly hostile while making arrests.
“When you have someone in crisis, it’s better to talk to them and calm them down if possible,” Wysocki said. “Time is on our side to slow things down. It’s really important to try to stop force from ever having to be used.”
The department also revamped its use-of-force policy last August, which Wysocki says would reduce the chances that an incident like Floyd’s death would happen in Camden.
“You’re not allowed to choke,” Wysocki said of his department’s policy. “The officers that were there in Minnesota had a duty to intervene.”
March participants, including activists and clergy, reveled in the day of unity.
“It was a collaborative approach,” Minister Wasim Muhammed, 53, of Camden said. “The community shouldn’t know you when it’s just an arrest. We know each other and have conversations. ... We as a community decide to come together.”
Amid the positivity in Camden, many watched as violence unfolded across the river in Philadelphia, where police cars burned, storefronts were shattered, and a curfew was strongly enforced by law enforcement. Some had words of advice for their neighboring city’s police force.
“Philadelphia really doesn’t have a great history … going back toward Rizzo days,” Muhammed said, referring to the city’s former police commissioner, Frank Rizzo. “Start doing more engagement with the community.”
