Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, City Commissioners and Police Chief John Mina Host Orlando Speaks
Community-Building Workshop will Further Engage Citizens and the City Together
WHAT:
Orlando Mayor Dyer, City Commissioners and Police Chief John Mina in partnership with the Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute, will join residents for Orlando Speaks. Orlando Speaks is a series of interactive workshops that will utilize innovative communication strategies to foster ongoing citizen engagement and conversation between Orlando residents, the City and the Orlando Police Department to better serve and celebrate the community’s diversity. Having these conversations are critical to moving the City forward, bringing the community closer together, strengthening the diversity of Orlando and ensuring that the City remains safe, inclusive and accepting of all.
At Mayor Dyer’s State of the City, he spoke about the importance of community policing and the critical role it has in reducing crime and creating trust between residents and the police. The first Orlando Speaks workshop will focus on strengthening relationships between police officers and residents while enhancing the City’s community policing initiative. The workshop will provide a forum for Orlando residents of different racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds to engage with the City and Orlando police officers in meaningful dialogue to foster respect and inclusion of all people, raise awareness and increase understanding.
The goals of the workshop are to:
Create a safe space for open, honest communication
Increase awareness and understanding of policing practices
Strengthen interpersonal relationships through the sharing of personal stories and experiences
Develop trust and sensitivity to support interactions with one another
Expand citizen engagement
WHEN:
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
6:15 p.m. – Workshop begins promptly. Late arrivals are strongly discouraged as they could be disruptive to the dialogue and conversation.
9:00 p.m. – At the conclusion of the workshop, interviews with Mayor Dyer, City Commissioners, Chief Mina and workshop participants will be available.
**Due to the nature of this event, media must RSVP in advance to attend. Please contact OPD PIO Michelle Guido atmichelle.guido@cityoforlando.net by Friday, August 21, 2015.**
WHERE:
Orlando Citrus Bowl, East Indoor Club
1610 West Church Street
MEDIA PARKING:
Media parking will be available in Lot 5 on the east side of the Citrus Bowl off Rio Grand Avenue between West South Street and Church Street.
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