August 13, 2021
Representatives from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) met with District 1 School Board Representative Michelle Watkins to present a check to Huntsville City Schools yesterday. The funds are meant to provide school supplies for students in district one, which will help ensure they start the year ready for success.
Ms. Watkins thanked HPD Captain Jeffery Rice and the other NOBLE representatives for their contribution. She stressed the value of community contributions like these by pointing out, “it’s extremely important that we have supplies on hand to assist families.”
HPD Captain Jeffery Rice said that the funds were raised primarily by the north precinct as a way to help the local community. “We felt that this district is in need because it is predominantly Title I schools,” he said, “so this is the area where our funds will be best spent.”
The funds will now go to principals who can then ensure they end up where they are needed most.
HPD Captain Jesse Sumlin mentioned that the police department is always trying to develop positive relationships in the community, and “it all starts with your school systems.”
This is the first year that NOBLE has collected donations for students in Huntsville City Schools, but representatives say they plan to continue in the future.
According to the NOBLE website,
the organization has nearly 60 chapters and represents over 3,000 members worldwide that represent chief executive officers and command-level law enforcement officials from federal, state, county, municipal law enforcement agencies, and criminal justice practitioners.