On March 14th from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Community Outreach Officers Chapackdee and Cambronero and patrol Officer Nelson facilitated a Living Room Conversation (LRC) at Neighborhoodcare Health, located in the 9200 block of Rainier Avenue South. The officers addressed the staff’s personal safety concerns in light of the recent shootings, homicides, burglaries and robberies. The LRC was attended by approximately 40 staff members.
On March 15th from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Officers Cambronero, Parker and Bourns facilitated a Living Room Conversation at El Centro De La Raza, located in the 2500 block of 16th Avenue South. There were approximately 25 staff members in attendance. They expressed how much they appreciate the Seattle Police Department reaching out in the form of a “living room” setting.
The officers explained and demonstrated the differences in approach to traffic stops that people may experience between a new officer and an experienced officer to help them understand and therefore reduce fear of the police during a traffic stop that many law abiding citizens see as “routine”.
The purpose of this program is for Seattle residents to have an opportunity to talk to Seattle Police officers who patrol their neighborhood. Residents get to chat with these officers in an informal setting and discuss neighborhood concerns, personal safety and crime prevention. Officers hope that these efforts will forge lasting partnerships when it comes to fighting crime in Seattle’s neighborhoods.
For more information about how to host a ‘living room conversation’ in your neighborhood, please click here.