At the Worth Heights Community Center in Fort Worth, locals appreciate the convenience of having services nearby.
“It’s a refuge for seniors to socialize and gather information,” said Bobby Jackson, a guest at the center.
Residents dislike the hassle of traveling to Fort Worth City Hall for their needs. “They want you to go downtown, and finding parking is a challenge,” Diana Menkins, another guest, explained. “You have to pay for parking, and if you don’t, you risk getting a ticket.”
To address these concerns, Bonycle Sokunbi, director of the Office of Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM), is bringing the office’s services directly to the community starting in August.
“Bringing the office to the community eliminates one more barrier,” Sokunbi said. “I’m more accessible. People can walk here or stop by during their lunch breaks. Children can come in, and if someone’s grandmother saw the office and wanted to talk, they can do so without having to go to City Hall.”
Four community centers will host office hours for the police oversight monitor, a move that many neighbors support.
“It will be convenient for people across different areas,” Menkins noted. “They’ll have someone close by in their neighborhood.”
Sokunbi emphasized that her office aims to improve interactions between the police and the community. “We help citizens complete and file complaint forms, which are then investigated by internal affairs while we monitor the process,” Sokunbi said. “My goal is to ensure fair discipline and training for the police while also making sure the community is treated properly. My role is to listen to both sides and promote harmony.”
