As part of an ongoing effort to humanize the NYPD at a time where there is so much tension, officers from the Sergeants Benevolent Association met with clergy in Bushwick Monday night.

Clergy members say the objective of the meeting is to strengthen the bonds between police and the community that they serve.

The SBA is police union in New York City that represents the New York Police department's sergeants They brought their "seeking solutions" series to Brooklyn, in areas that have been dealing with a recent uptick in violence.

The meeting began with prayer and the national anthem. The community came together in a way of healing from witnessing so much violence over the summer together.

"It's always important when you're sitting down with members of the community, especially clergy, who always seem to be overlooked, and they have probably the most powerful sway over the community itself," says Vincent J. Vallelong, vice president of the SBA.

The group says this was done all in hopes that going forward, there will be a greater trust between the community and the police, especially as we head into the new school year.