Closing divide between police and communities is town hall topic July 20

The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice will hold a series of town halls, Racial Justice Through Reimagining Policing, beginning at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 20, via Zoom.

Since the brutal murder of George Floyd ignited the already simmering crisis around the relationship of police to the communities they serve, Delaware and the entire nation have been deeply engaged in debate and discussion. The alliance town halls will explore how to close the divide between police and communities. 

“This crisis demands moving to a different approach to police/community relationships,” said Clara Licata, co-chair of the alliance’s legislative advocacy committee. “Currently, there is a law enforcement approach in policing that can result in an us-vs.-them mind-set. This approach puts both police and members of the community in grave danger because it creates and fosters mistrust between police and the community. A different approach is needed.”  

In a series of conversations with stakeholders – police, community members, elected officials, academics, prosecutors, the defense bar, lawmakers, and others – Racial Justice Through Reimagining Policing will provide a forum for discussion that will attempt to reimagine policing in order to bring police and communities together for everyone’s benefit.

Recognizing the need for police to conduct investigations, render aid, enforce the law, and take on the many other roles of a modern officer, the town halls will discuss whether policing may be reimagined by building strong, trusting relationships with residents, fostering networks of support for those struggling for various reasons, and building safe places within neighborhoods still facing many social problems.

The town halls will examine the situation through the lens of how any suggested changes and reforms will bring police and communities together, with particular emphasis on relationships between police and communities of color. Discussions will center on how to get there, keeping communities safe, encouraging cooperation between police and residents, raising police and community morale, and taking other needed steps.

“The alliance is convinced that there is much commonality between communities and police that should, and must, result in constructive changes that can be embraced by all,” said Licata.

To learn more and to register for the July 20 program, go to eventbrite.com or sdarj.org.