Over the past year, Americans have been taking part in national conversations about the role of policing in their communities. Most of us have seen videos or heard stories about police-community relations—some positive, others that may raise concerns and frustrations. Within our local community, some of us may have had little or no interaction with the police, while others may have had one or several interactions.
As part of the Estes Valley Community Conversation series, the community is invited to a dialogue on Police-Community Relations on Wednesday, June 16, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. While mindful of issues in the national news, the focus will be close to home, with emphasis on personal stories, interactions, and impressions of police relations in our community.
Volunteer facilitators will be using the nationally-recognized “Living Room Conversation” model, which facilitates connections between people. Participants will have the opportunity to share, listen, and learn within the natural style of a small-group setting.
The June 16 conversation will be held in a virtual (Zoom) format. The program is a collaborative effort among the Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership (EVRJP), the Estes Valley Library, and the Estes Park Police Department. A staff member from the Police Department will be joining in the conversation.
Join us at the “virtual” table to share your perspectives, learn about the experiences of others, and potentially leave with stronger connections and a shared sense of community. Since this program is interactive, attendees will be asked to engage with and contribute to the conversation, with their computer microphones and video switched on.
EVRJP and the Library wish to thank the personnel of the Estes Park Police Department for joining this conversation, as well as the team of civic-engagement volunteers who have been working on this project. Visit www.estes.org/community-conversations to learn about the series.