Week 1: bridging the gap
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Lights & Sirens International is hosting its 3rd Annual Bocce Ball Community Outreach Program. Our Week One discussion is focused on how to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the minority community, with the assistance of Providence Westend County Center and members of the RI State Police, East Providence, Providence, and Smithfield Police Departments. We managed to have a constructive conversation regarding the conflict and both sides were able to identify their similarities and understand the importance of giving and receiving respect.
We will continue the next 4 weeks in similar conversations on relevant issues that both sides share. |
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Week 2: traffic stop 101
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Our Week Two discussion was focused on how to conduct yourself during a traffic stop.
Being pulled over by an officer can be scary – especially for new drivers who don’t know how to handle the situation. New drivers must learn what is expected when being stopped by an officer. |
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Week 3: implicit bias
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The goal of for Week 3 of our community outreach program is to be an educational tool to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the concept of implicit bias. By increasing awareness, we hope to create and support a diverse and inclusive culture that values and reflects the changing demographics of Rhode Island by advancing equitable and fair opportunities for its citizens and law enforcement.
The concept of implicit bias has emerged over the past decade as a new explanation for contemporary discrimination. The idea behind this concept is that most people are unaware of the many biases we EACH hold and that our biases may influence actions that can lead to unintentional forms of discrimination. |
week 4: ego
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Of all the destructive forces that law enforcement, individuals, and the community face, probably none are more dangerous than our OWN egos. No matter how many laws and policies exist to guide our actions, we are all human - including the men/women of law enforcement - subject to all the failings that humans have. Through education, we can raise our self-awareness, control our egos, and put an end to the divisiveness within our communities.
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week 5: conflict resolution, responsibility & accountability
Lights & Sirens International hosted its final community outreach program discussing Conflict Resolution, Accountability, and Social Responsibility.
We had the pleasure of having students from the West End Recreation Center, Cranston East, Paul Coffee, The Met, and volunteers team up with RI State Police, Providence, East Providence, and Smithfield Police Departments members. Conflict resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them. The debate may be personal, financial, political, or emotional. When a dispute arises, the best course of action is negotiation to resolve the disagreement.
Our programs encourage the youth of our community and public safety personnel to be active participants in understanding others' perspectives through meaningful conversations. We discuss important topics that we view as a driver to understanding and articulating our perspectives and listening to and learning the perspective of others.
While the path to progress is neither clear nor straightforward, our future depends on our actions today.
We had the pleasure of having students from the West End Recreation Center, Cranston East, Paul Coffee, The Met, and volunteers team up with RI State Police, Providence, East Providence, and Smithfield Police Departments members. Conflict resolution is a way for two or more parties to find a peaceful solution to a disagreement among them. The debate may be personal, financial, political, or emotional. When a dispute arises, the best course of action is negotiation to resolve the disagreement.
Our programs encourage the youth of our community and public safety personnel to be active participants in understanding others' perspectives through meaningful conversations. We discuss important topics that we view as a driver to understanding and articulating our perspectives and listening to and learning the perspective of others.
While the path to progress is neither clear nor straightforward, our future depends on our actions today.