Philadelphia Police 18th District Dance To 'The Electric Slide'

It was something to see and hear: residents and police officers break out into a line dance "The electric slide" To (Cameo/ Candy) at 18th district in West Philadelphia. For the second week in a row, the “Karaoke with a Cop” event came to the Philly neighborhood as part of an effort to bolster the relationship between 18th District officers and those they have sworn to protect and serve.Show more

The brainchild of Officer Nur Ali Baukman, the event saw him take the lead before a few shy passersby decided to hop on the microphone with songs, community event announcements and words about how much outreach like this is appreciated.

“This is something different. A lot of us are looking at police officers like they are bad guys but no, that is not the case,” said Brandon Chastang, who was born, raised and remains in West Philadelphia. “Growing up, yeah, I thought that way. I was being ignorant.”

Capt. Matthew Gillespie, the district's commanding officer, said that’s the whole point of the burgeoning event, which will be held either from noon to 2 p.m. or 4 to 6 p.m. each Friday in the summer.

“This is one of our problem areas, but (the loiterers who cause problems here) always leave when they see us setting up here,” he said, noting that last week’s event featured a memorable rendition of the Electric Slide. “It’s all about bridging gaps between us and the community.”

Baukman led the way from the police side of things, singing no fewer than six songs that he piped into the speakers from his mobile phone. The second-ever 'Karaoke with a Cop' event in West Philadelphia drew quite a bit of attention from passersby, including this group which took the opportunity to sing something from the Sugar Hill Gang.

In addition to tracks from Marvin Gaye and the Sugar Hill Gang, passersby heard the officer perform a duet with resident Aisha Davis, who held her two-year-old daughter Kalmia Walker. During another song, a call-and-response with a six-year-old boy resulted in the child saying he wanted to be a police officer when he grows up. (A couple of profane entries were met with a quick hook.)Judging from the reaction of those walking past Friday afternoon’s gathering, it is having the intended effect.

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