Community DVD Unveiled
Thursday, January 26, 2012 Centennial Hall downtown Mt Pleasant MI was the scene of tremendous excitement as many community residents awaited the viewing of the DVD which was the culmination of a two year collaborative process. The approximately 15 min DVD highlights the rich and varied multicultural heritage of the Mt Pleasant community and its surrounding areas. The Community Forum, at which the DVD was unveiled was, yet another in the series of events sponsored by the Isabella Co Roundtable for Diversity & Inclusion (ICRDI), a citizen’s group which has been working within the community to address identified issues in Education, Law-Enforcement, Health Care and Business & Commerce related to social justice, inclusion, diversity and acceptance.
The Community Forums are bi-monthly events sponsored by the ICRCI and serve as a venue for keeping the community abreast of the group’s progress on the development and implementation of its strategic plan. The February Forum focused on the progress and plans of the Law Enforcement work group along with the DVD. Other highlights of the evening were the announcement of the planned research and a “call to action” talk given by Willard Walker.
The Law Enforcement group’s research project will evaluate people’s perceptions of their experiences or interactions with law enforcement and the legal system. The research will be conducted by Justin Smith, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work at Central Michigan University. Smith will begin the research by conducting structured interviews with participants. Interviews results will be statistically analyzed for a variety of factors and the results will be used to inform recommendations made to the five area law enforcement agencies and the legal system. Research is scheduled to begin in mid-March.
Willard K. Walker is a former City of Lansing Human Relations and Community Services department Director and State of Michigan executive. He is a Senior Policy Consultant at Public Policy Associates (PPA), Incorporated, a national research and development firm. Walker encouraged those present to get to know each, because the work is hard and tiring and, often lonely. He made recommendations for creating change and building relationships with the law enforcement community based on his vast experiences. Recommendations included, creating and staffing a position of Community Civilian Investigator, with responsibilities including working collaboratively with the County Human Relations Department to: 1. Evaluate hiring, recruiting and retention practices, 2. Hold community meetings to educate citizens on law enforcement procedures and 3. Provide the opportunity for citizens to meet regularly with officers, as a way to build relationships and further educational opportunities.
The Isabella Co Roundtable will continue to host community events as the group works to further develop and implement its strategic plan. The next event planned for some time in April will be a Fundraising Banquet, with a “Nationally –known” speaker, silent auction, with items donated by area businesses and other surprises, kick off the group’s fund-developing goals.
If you would like to receive updates, mailings or other information from the group please contact the local Community Organizer, Elizabeth Husbands at 989/621-6432.