Community Engagement: Building Relationships
V.
Law enforcement’s ability to build strong relationships with community organizations can provide impactful awareness and educational opportunities. Conversations and educational presentations about the prevention of drunk and drugged driving, hazardous driving behaviors and underage drinking consequences are great opportunities for law enforcement to engage with community members to prevent future enforcement needs, like substance impaired driving. In addition, awareness campaigns and activities focused on informing the community of the prevalence of underage drinking and substance impaired driving within their neighborhoods are crucial to ensuring transparency and connection between law enforcement strategies and community safety. Many community organizations, businesses, and faith-based groups have adequate facility space to host forums, events, or youth programs that allow positive interactions between members of the community and law enforcement. In addition, places of worship and faith-based organizations can act as neutral territory for difficult conversations, leading to healing between law enforcement and the community and laying out a strategic plan that clearly denotes an intentional relationship with community organizations and shows the commitment needed to address issues of legitimacy for police organizations. Law Enforcement and faith-based organizations can create unique partnerships within a community. Whether formal or informal, faith- based organizations can provide law enforcement with a platform to engage with their community meaningfully. The collaboration can come in many different forms, as faith-based organizations can provide some of the following:
Opportunities for building positive interactions and relationships with the community:
Community events Block Party Events School Partnerships Library Partnerships National Night Out
Coffee with a Cop Events Police Athletic Leagues Child Safety Seat Training Chaplain Academy Cops and Clergy Neighborhood Beautification Community Gardens MADD Events and Programs
The ability to bring a diverse group together Building space
Volunteers from the community The ability to mediate concerns Knowledge of community issues A link between community members and government Connection to social services Potential for counseling services
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving ®
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