The other BLM--Blue lives matter

I am not a fan of the Black Lives Matter movement.  I think at best it is disingenuous; at worst, a terrorist group.  Many members openly call for killing police officers,  and they have suggested that police departments be eliminated altogether,  an unrealistic demand that hurts black citizens stuck in dangerous communities that need police protection.
So it was with skepticism that I read an article about the selection of the new police chief for the city of St. Paul,  and how BLM wants to be a part of the process. I think this group wields far more power than it deserves,  so frankly,  I didn't think they should have a say at all. But then I read what they wanted,  and it was pretty reasonable.
To begin, they want a good relationship with the next chief.  They also want the new chief to understand that he or she will be closely scrutinized.  Well, that's not new--police are among the most scrutinized of all professions, so that's a given. They want police to be more involved in their "beats", one of the basics in the neighborhood policing movement.  Again,  not a ridiculous expectation. They want police to forge relationships with those in the community they serve, and they want to figure out a way to get people to talk and report what they see. Many crimes go unsolved in the black community due to the unspoken, but well understood,  "snitches get stitches" rule.
They did call for one thing that is unrealistic--the trendy demand that police be 'demilitarized'. I am pretty sure that these folks don't know what that means or what they're asking for exactly.  But it's the hot word, and so they've included it. But it's unrealistic to demand that cops give up the tools and gear of the 'trade' simply to put BLM at ease.  Policing is dangerous,  deadly work, and our officers need all the protection they can get.
So, let's consider the realistic demands regarding the new police chief: officers that are engaged in their community, that have good relationships with those they are sworn to protect.  Excellent!  I am glad they want that. And many departments have already started doing those things. But a relationship is a two-way street. You can't have a good relationship with someone that spits in your direction when you walk by, or someone who tells their kids to begin filming you the second you walk up, even if all you're doing is grabbing a coffee. You can't have a relationship with the coffee shop owner that refuses to serve you because "cops aren't welcome here". You can't have a good relationship with people that shoot at you, or run the second you pull onto their street.  You can't be at ease as an officer when people ambush you. You can't have a good relationship with community members that hate you "on principle, because cops are pigs",  and who refuse to ever acknowledge you in a kind way. So, it's up to you BLM (and all cop haters, actually), to do your part in making neighborhood policing work. Our officers would like to get to know you,  to enjoy a relationship with you. They'd love to have a less stressful job, and to be safer. So,  this is your chance. Because police lives matter, not just yours.