By Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
To explore and better understand the impact of policing in San Mateo County communities, officials and organizations will discuss how law enforcement can better serve the needs of all who live in the area in a forum open to residents.
The meeting will be virtual and free of charge this Monday, December 6th from 14:00 to 16:00.
This session comes against the backdrop of recent local and national security developments, which have heightened the collective awareness of the disparate impact that police can have on diverse communities.
This is the first of two meetings to explore the issue in San Mateo County.
This first meeting will seek to delve into and understand what information there is about policing and racial disparities in San Mateo County, how to find that information, and what it means or how this data is interpreted.
A case study will be presented on how to obtain data on policing, review arrests and racial disparities in the county, followed by a facilitated conversation between researchers, law enforcement, juvenile justice practitioners and community activists.
Organizations like Peninsula Family Service and Thrive Alliance said they are committed to a dialogue that builds strong communities.
"We are coming together to co-produce this convening to create an environment in which all nonprofits, police, city, county, neighborhoods and neighbors can learn and grow. Policing is integral to the fabric of our societies, and having frank, balanced and well-informed conversations benefits us all," they said in a statement.
This session will be moderated by Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center Executive Director Malissa Netane-Jones.
Participants include San Mateo Police Chief Ed Barberini, San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos G. Bolaños, Fresh Lifelines for Youth San Mateo Director Kate Hiester, Public Policy Institute of California Policy Director Magnus Lofstrom, Stanford Master's Candidate Andrew Skelton, and SMFCSD Trustee Shara Watkins.
It should be noted that although the talk will be conducted in English, there will be interpretation into Spanish.
It is necessary that those who are interested in participating register for the event, which can be done by giving click here.
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