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Community Sep 28, 2018
During the June screening of the POP! commissioned film about the Chris Ballew incident, Pasadena resident Stephan Taylor asked, “where are the police and why aren't they a part of this conversation?” - Courtesy photo / Facebook, @POPpasadena
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During the June screening of the POP! commissioned film about the Chris Ballew incident, Pasadena resident Stephan Taylor asked, “where are the police and why aren’t they a part of this conversation?” – Courtesy photo / Facebook, @POPpasadena
Gatherings aim to open dialogue between residents and local police
Pasadenans Organizing for Progress (POP!) announced a forum on community policing issues titled, “Let’s Talk, Let’s Learn.” The event will be held at the Alkebulan Cultural Center (1435 N. Raymond Ave.) on Oct. 4 starting at 6 p.m. and will focus on how the community and police can achieve greater honesty, transparency, mutual understanding, and collaboration.
This second gathering in a series of frank and open dialogues between residents and local police will include a conversation with three local police officers co-moderated by James Farr, host of the Facebook livestream, “The Conversation Live” a talk show that focuses on social and restorative justice, inclusion and equality.
“These forums are an opportunity for residents, business owners, and people who work in Pasadena to have an authentic learning opportunity with officers the public comes into contact most often,” said Farr. “The decision to invite frontline officers instead of command staff,” Farr explained, “is intended to foster dialogue, promote cooperation, and help citizens and law enforcement officers get to know one another.”
“I have a good understanding of how many residents feel and what their experiences are with law enforcement,” Farr continued. “I’m aiming to unpack the ‘how’ and ‘why’ contact with Police often devolves into contentious incidents.”
Over 75 community members attended a screening of the POP! commissioned film about the Chris Ballew incident at the first event held in June. During the event, Pasadena resident Stephan Taylor asked, “where are the police and why aren’t they a part of this conversation?
Taylor’s comment prompted POP! and the Coalition for Increased Civilian Oversight of the Pasadena Police (CICOPP), the NAACP Pasadena Branch, and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA),” to continue to sponsor a series of community forums to talk about what community policing means to Pasadena residents and frontline police.
In addition to Farr, the conversation will be co-moderated by Eshelle Williams PsyD, LMFT, a Psychotherapist/Consultant. She has worked in the Mental Health field for over 15 years as a Psychotherapist, independent consultant, trainer, and educator. Dr. Williams provides targeted support services across multiple subject areas that impact children, families, communities, and organizations. Her scope of work includes but is not limited to the area of trauma.
