Community members in the City of Bend are invited to participate in a virtual listening session about policing policies.
According to the press release, the event—which will be run by a third-party moderator—is part of the city council’s goal to “be responsive and accountable to the changing needs and expectations of the community and increase Council awareness and public participation in law enforcement policy.”
The listening session is taking place after the city said more than 930 people provided feedback to several online questions in Sept.
During the listening session, the City of Bend would like to hear community input on comments that came up from the online survey:
1. We’ve heard that people want accountability and/or transparency from Police: What does that mean? How should that happen?
2. People want to see a Police presence in the community. What does that mean and look like?
3. We heard that transient/homeless issues and mental health issues are big concerns in Bend. What is the role of local police in addressing these issues?
4. What are your expectations of City Council involvement in policing policies?
Speakers will be given three minutes to provide a comment. Bend City Council and staff are invited to listen, but will not be responding to questions or comments, or speaking during the online event.
The listening session is from 9 a.m –12p.m. on Saturday, October 17.The webinar will only be able to accommodate 500 participants at a time, but there is no participant limit for watching. Simultaneous Spanish interpretation will be provided.
A recording of the meeting will be available afterward. Community input will be compiled and presented in a report to the Council at a work session, tentatively scheduled for the end of December.
