There wasn’t quite much talk on bias incidents aimed at a forum for the Bangladeshi community. Instead, the meeting morphed into an information session with a message in mind: the community at large is here to help.

The gathering was the brainchild of Aldo Perez, a community activist, who sought to bring representatives from the NYPD, Bronx District Attorney’s office, local Community Board 7, Public Advocate’s office, and the state Assembly Speaker’s office to introduce themselves and the powers each office brings. Two-dozen guests from the Bangladeshi community were at the meeting hearing from representatives.

Norwood has seen an ever-growing Bangladeshi population, a tight-knit demographic with residents coming mostly from Bangladesh. The U.S. Census estimates the population of Norwood, or those living in the 10467 zip code, comprises 2.4 percent of Asian Indians, those considered originating from Bangladesh, Pakistan, or India. Reaching out to the group has proven problematic as many prefer to keep to themselves.

At the heart of the meeting stood a chance for Bangladeshi’s, many of whom were Muslim, to list their grievances on bias-related issues. But there have been no reported bias crimes within the 52^nd Precinct, which covers Norwood. That point was noted by the stationhouse’s commanding officer, Inspector Nilda Hofmann, at the start of the meeting inside Williamsbridge Oval Park’s Recreation Center.

But Perez, a Puerto Rican Muslim, stressed to the Norwood News that bias incidents within the 52^nd Precinct are underreported since many Bangladeshis are too scared to speak to the police, having experiences with authorities in their native country.

“They don’t want to air out their problems. They rather handle them internally,” said Perez, shortly after the meeting. “But with incidents like this, they need to air them out publically.”

Bias incidents have its frequencies, with many pointing to the 205^th Street/Norwood D train station near Perry Avenue as a common spot, though not as prevalent. Khairul Islam, a Norwood resident, was the target of a bias crime in 2013. Driving his cab, he was confronted by a passenger who spat in his face numerous times. The passenger later served two years in prison. Islam, recovered, did find the meeting to be productive.

The Bangladeshi community’s grievances were those any typical neighbor would complain about—streaks of dog mess, the need for better schools, and wants of more improved amenities. But immersing themselves in their communities was another nascent topic born out of the meeting.

“We need to wake up; we need to wake up,” said Chowdury M. Mumin, a member of the Bangladeshi-American Community Council.

John Snider, member of Community Board 7, emphasized Bangladeshis to further immerse themselves in their communities, noting they shouldn’t be a “community into yourself.”

“Get involved in the community as a whole,” said Snider. “And some of the issues you may have can get resolved because you have all these agencies here. This is the way to go.”