Gordon Heights cooking classes serve up a side of improved police-youth relations

A Gordon Heights civic leader looking to improve relations between the community and Suffolk County police had an idea last summer on how to bring both sides to the table: a warm plate of pasta.

Elbert Freeman, 49, president of the Gordon Heights Civic Association, developed the Culinary Youth Program -- cooking instruction that he hoped would allow local youth to view uniformed officers from the Sixth Precinct more positively.

On Tuesday, he watched happily as three Community Oriented Police Enforcement officers helped 20 youths whip up a cucumber salad and chicken quesadillas, a Cinco de Mayo-inspired meal, as the program's latest cooking effort.

It was Naya Smith's first time participating and she appeared nervous while flipping her chicken and onion-stuffed tortilla over on the hot stove. Even more than learning the art of cooking, the 18-year-old said she appreciated getting to know the officers who patrol her community.

"It makes me more comfortable knowing that they interact in the community," she said.

Some Gordon Heights residents say there has been distrust between the community and police that the program has helped resolve. The program, funded by small donations from the volunteers, started in August with two Gordon Heights residents and a COPE officer making penne alla vodka at St. Michael's Community Center.

St. Michael's moved to another location several years ago, but the Gordon Heights property, along with $25,000 for renovations, was donated by the Diocese of Rockville Centre to Brookhaven Town, which now operates the building.

When the next cooking session rolled around weeks after the first one, about 30 youths participated, along with additional COPE officers, a detective and a police captain. The officers provide the cooking materials, burners and skillets, and prepare the cooking stations 45 minutes in advance of classes. Officers and the youths work together on meals, which have been as simple as a grilled cheese sandwich or as sophisticated as seafood bisque.

"We started off cooking chicken Marsala, macaroni and cheese, and chicken cordon bleu. We're just making all these wonderful foods," said Josephine Bailey, a program volunteer.

COPE Officer Todd Bradshaw spoke of the program's accomplishments.

"Neither group knew what to expect," Bradshaw said. Of the youths he has met, he said, "They can look a little tough in the beginning; a little standoffish. They aren't quite comfortable. It's so outside the pocket."

As for the cooking itself, he said, "It's out of your realm as a police officer."

When Freeman approached the precinct to talk about a cooking program, some officers weren't sure of its potential.

"I was a bit skeptical," said former Sixth Precinct Inspector Thomas Palmieri, who now works in Suffolk County police headquarters. He said he thought youths ages 8 to 18 would rather play sports or dance than learn how to cook with police officers.

"But it's a big hit. The kids are all smiles," Palmieri said. "Normally, they see us, the police, being called out and making arrests. But they get to see us in a different light."

Complaints among some Gordon Heights residents centered on what they characterized as slow emergency response times, frequent motor-vehicle stops and poor communication between residents and patrolling officers. Keith Owens, 45, a Gordon Heights resident, said it seemed to him that police stopped and questioned people 25 and younger without justification. Owens now volunteers with the culinary program.

Owens, Freeman and other residents said the cooking program has helped improve the relationship between both sides.

"Over the course of the last two years, we haven't had any issues because of the relationship building," Freeman said, adding that the program wouldn't be a success without the help of precinct officers.

Suffolk County Police Department and Brookhaven Town officials, while praising the program, downplayed any animosity with residents.

"Personally, I worked that area for seven years and didn't see that. On a whole, we had nothing but phenomenal relationships with the community," said Community Liaison Officer Mike O'Neill, who works in the Sixth Precinct and assists with the culinary program.

Brookhaven Town Councilwoman Connie Kepert, whose district includes Gordon Heights, said, "I don't think there's been a real problem. There's always tension between those who enforce the rules and those expected to follow them."

Back at St. Michael's on Tuesday, kids and cops were busy cooking.

"We're constantly moving. In some ways, it's like being a busboy. We're trying to keep clean and nice in our uniforms," Bradshaw joked. "We're sweating and a little dehydrated."

And it's all worth it, he said.

"The culinary arts program serves as a higher purpose by bridging a gap between police who patrol the area and local youths,"A he said. "Although we teach them how to be responsible, it's not so much about the cooking as it is the interaction with the police and experiences the kids have."

To donate to the culinary program, call 631-846-3134.