APD Chief: Struggles encourage hard work

ALBANY — The Good Life City’s top cop recently pleaded to the area’s senior citizens to reach out to younger generations so the community can one day realize its full potential.

In recognition of Black History Month, Albany Police Chief John Proctor addressed citizens at SOWEGA Council on Aging’s senior center on Pine Avenue Monday.

Proctor affirmed his commitment to building an effective police force.

“My purpose is to stay here and work hard,” he said.

Proctor, the youngest of 13 children, grew up on a farm in northern Florida. He has witnessed the impact of the civil rights movement and what it took to progress the concept of equality.

“I’m told if it’s worth having, it’s worth fighting for,” he said. “I learned early on the (value) of hard work and perseverance. Times were difficult, but we persevered.”

Recalling the days when certain facilities were once marked “blacks only,” Proctor said he had faith things would eventually change.

“My mom and dad said that one day it would be better,” the chief said.

The lesson he attempted to drive home to the elders present was to encourage younger generations not to settle for mediocrity.

“Do not settle for second-best,” the chief said. “The struggle is not over, but things are much better than what they were.

“I plead to you to reach out to your respective places. Let them know what you are seeing is not acceptable to you. We’re not meant to stay here forever; if we give up on our kids, can you imagine what our world would be like?”

He also took the opportunity to encourage people to remember the lesser-known figures that made the struggle for a better life a reality.

“I want to make sure we celebrate not just national leaders,” Proctor said. “These folks (area citizens) have stories too, and I’m sure they’ve made contributions. I think it’s fitting to recognize the local leaders as well.

“We should celebrate them all year long.”

On another note, Proctor, who has been in his current position for almost a year, said reducing crime in the area is going to be a community effort.

“Law enforcement can’t do everything themselves,” he said. “I am pleased with the reception I am seeing in the community.

“I’ve always said we will work every day to be better.”

Wesley Robinson, one of the coordinators of Monday’s event, has been going to the center for 18 years. He has had a role in bringing in speakers for Black History Month for the last five to six years.

“It’s a need because people here need to know how people come to be who they are,” he said. “This is the history of our people.

“We thought there was a need for it.”

There are some interesting things that often come out of these addresses, and they typically draw a good response, Robinson said.

“It’s interesting for people to know these people came up this way,” he said. “When I have a person coming in, they (patrons of the senior center) make sure they come that day.”