NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WKBW) — 10-year-old Nevaea Brown from West Seneca is passionate about the Black Lives Matter Movement, but after seeing the violence, Nevaea said she was filled with fear of the police. That all changed when Nevaea encountered an emotional officer in Niagara Falls State Park.
“Nobody could survive in a choke hold for like longer than ten minutes,” said Nevaea, “I just wanted to be there for Floyd because it's just not fair.”
“She said she wanted to peacefully protest,” said Nevaea’s mom D’Andra Brown.
D’Andra is from Jamaica. She said they have family in law enforcement back home, so she never wanted her daughter to be afraid of those who are supposed to help. D’Andra said she was happy to see her daughter’s opinion change on Thursday when New York State Park Police Officer Janine Kloetzer drove by.
“As I approached she kind of froze up, looked very terrified and put her hands up,” said Officer Kloetzer.
Officer Kloetzer said she couldn't just go on her way. She said she had to say something, but not as an officer, as a mom.
“It just broke my heart to see how terrified she looked just to see the police car,” Officer Kloetzer said, “I would be horrified if my children had to go through that same type of situation of being terrified just walking around in a park.”
Officer Kloetzer and Nevaea had an emotional conversation in Niagara Falls State Park.
“She went out of her way while on duty to approach us and just explain you don't have to feel that way about all of us,” D’Andra said.
Nevaea said she now no longer feels all police officers are bad.
“I just thought it was good that not all police officers are bad,” said Nevaea.
D'Andra shared the moment on Facebook and it spread. The video has been shared over 23,000 times.
“I did not expect it at all. I'm glad in a way it did because at least we get to see some positivity. and that's what we want,” D’Andra said.
“That one on one human interaction is where it all kind of has to start,” Officer Kloetzer said.
“Not all officers are bad,” Nevaea said.
