Soulsville Neighborhood Community-Police Relations Forum
The Community-Police Relations (CPR) project is a groundbreaking partnership between citizens and law enforcement officers that is challenging both groups to overcome their differences and distrust to work together on the deepest problems of our community. The CPR Group held a community forum in the Soulsville neighborhood on Monday, August 26th. Here are some thoughts from one participant:
I believe it to have been a total success. I enjoy seeing the number grow as we move from different areas of the city. It really touched me to hear about the young lady who had her house broken into 15 times and still manages to have a positive outlook for her community and the police. I believe from what I observed that everyone has a willingness to work together in order to make positive changes. I heard different members talk about wanting to help and do more within their community to have positive changes occur. Each one of the members within my breakout group were positive and had feedback and asked questions about where the change will come from, how change can occur and this is a long term effort. Overall I believe that we are about to see history change right before our eyes as to the battle we are about to join to make a difference.
– L. Price
I believe that the Orange Mound Community and Police Relations forum was a game changer. It was the largest turn out that CPR Memphis had at that time. It showed us that the people are indeed concerned about their communities. We were able to break up into 3 very large groups of Facilitators, Law Enforcement and Community members. In those groups we each were able to voice direct concerns of the actions of Police Officers in that area and throughout the city. The Officers were very open and gave feed back on many issues not just the ones that people were speaking of. That one of the things that this platform allows which is transparent dialogue about the grey areas of Law in a neutral setting. It was encouraging.– Kelvin Cowans, Tri-State Defender
Upcoming CPR Community Forums
Hickory Hill Forum
Monday, September 30th, 6 – 8p (5:30 sign-in)
Hickory Hill Community Center, 3910 Ridgeway Road
Outreach Contact: Mr. Sonny Robinson, bongotiger1@gmail.com
CPR Coordinator: Melisa Miller-Monie, melissa@midsouthpeace.org
Youth CPR Forum/Gandhi-King Conference
Friday, October 18th at BRIDGES. Please contact, CPR Coordinator, Melisa Miller-Monie for details on how to get involved. Email: melissa@midsouthpeace.org
LGBTQ Community Forum
Tuesday, November 19th, 6 – 8p (5:30 sign-in)
Holy Trinity Community Church, 685 South Highland Street
CPR Coordinator: Melisa Miller-Monie, melissa@midsouthpeace.org
For more information about the Community-Police Relations project, please contact:
Melissa Miller-Monie, CPR Organizing Coordinator
Phone: 901-725-4990, Email: melissa@midsouthpeace.org
The CPR Team- Bridging the Gap between Community and Police Relations: Mid-South Peace and Justice Center, Community Leaders, Memphis Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff’s Department, Playback Memphis, and a third party facilitator.