HomeMy WebLinkAbout051315_City Faith community partner to host forum website: rentonwa.gov
City of Renton - 1055 South Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
May 13, 2015
For more information contact:
Kevin Milosevich, Chief of Police, Renton Police Department 425-430-7500
Preeti Shridhar, Deputy Public Affairs Administrator 425-430-6569
Renton Police Partner with Faith Community to Strengthen Community Relations
Partnership launches first of a series of community forums
Teen Summit: Improving Positive Relationships with Law Enforcement & Our Youth and Community.
June 20, Renton High School
Renton, WA: As part of its efforts to build trust between law enforcement and the diverse communities
in Renton, the Renton Police Department is partnering with different faith organizations including
leaders representing local African-American pastors. Recent protests in Ferguson, Missouri, followed
by other similar events in different parts of the country have brought national attention to the
importance of strong police-community relationships, which has been a priority for the City of Renton
and the Renton Police Department.
“We from the African-American clergy of Renton are very pleased to join forces with the City of Renton
and its law enforcement department to be the change we want to see in our community ,” said
Reverend Dr. Linda Smith, Pastor SKY Urban Empowerment Center. “As we move forward our goal is to
engage our community, educate our youth, strengthen relationships with law enforcement, and review
and revise policies and practices to promote equity. We believe that we can be the change that will
mirror what ‘justice for all’ looks like in the world.”
“As law enforcement leaders, each of us has an essential obligation and a unique opportunity to ensure
fairness, eliminate bias, and build community engagement,” said Police Chief Milosevich. “Our
partnership with the African-American Pastors and with other major faith community leaders in
Renton will allow us to build on the pioneering work that we are already doing to emphasize inclusion
and equity in our city.”
As part of this effort, the African-American Pastors group and the City of Renton in partnership with
the Renton School District will host Teen Summit: Improving Positive Relationships with Law
Enforcement & Our Youth and Community, first of a series of community forums on June 20, from
10:00 am to noon at Renton High School. The forum will include various staff from the Renton Police
Department, leaders from the African-American faith communities, students, parents and the general
public. It is an opportunity for youth and community members to interact with local law enforcement,
understand how law enforcement works and for authorities to hea r the community’s views on policing.
For more information about this event, please contact the Renton Police Department at 425-430-7500.
Attached: African-American Pastoral Group Charter.
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