Civic Education and Engagement - Essay Example

It was on Monday night April 8, 2013, that a council meeting was organized to address national security issues, particularly violence. This happened at the Captain's log for the East Precinct of the Seattle Police Department and security officials walked in to address matters of violence and rising insecurity. In attendance at the forum were general members of the public especially those interested in security issues and government officials. Speakers were drawn from the police and local security department. Seattle Police Department officials took the stage at the East District Council. Their main objective was to ensure that the voice of the public is heard and attended to. This forum was also intended to strengthen the weakening relationship between the public and the police department and therefore contribute to enhanced national security. This event had drawn a large audience because, on the previous day, John Diaz, who is the SPD Chief announced his intention to retire from the police service. Another speaker who took more time on the stage addressing the rising violence cases in the community was Captain Ron Wilson, East Precinct commander. General Matt Allen (a guest speaker) explained that the police department is committed to reaching out to the public at large by holding regional meetings purposely to address security issues and concerns of the public in general.

 In this event, the speaker noted with a lot of concern that club violence was no doubt a major thorn, especially in those clubs along Pine and Pike, therefore giving first priority over other issues of equal importance. Members of the community were getting bothered by the frequency of what was known to be brawls outside the Grimes and the Woods on 11 Avenue. Llen recognized club violence as a complex issue and urged the members of the public to keep dialing 911 for security response. According to Llen, security was generally becoming a national threat. This he said referencing the noise ordinances, and liquor licensing, among various other issues.  Members of the public sought to know why there were no strict regulations barring nightclubs from playing loud music, especially those located in residential places. To this, John Diaz explained that there were legal policies regulating noise in residential places, but was only that the police department had not been informed of these new developments. However, he explained that the good news was that they were going to establish a special police unit to address issues related to community peace as far as the operation of nightclubs is concerned. He went ahead to explain that the mandate of the proposed police force will be executed in a way that will not affect business ventures. This implied that business must be executed with strict compliance with the security policies. In this forum, club violence was a hot topic with the recent incident at The Social being the reference point. Another issue that was heavily criticized by the community was the manner in which the mentally challenged people in the society were treated.

The community members in attendance claimed that they had recently witnessed a rise on Capitol Hill. Concerned about this unjust and unfair treatment of disabled members, the area police boss explained that those suffering from mental sickness or panhandling on the streets should not necessarily be locked up in prisons. In the meantime, this problem was addressed through the establishment of what was termed the ‘Mobile Crisis Unit’ that served as a medium-term solution. Under this unit, the mentally challenged would be taken to good mental health centers where they would be treated instead of being locked up in caves. While emphasizing on this, Mr. Allen said that the mentally challenged personas do not deserve imprisonment but rather a reconnection with mental health physicians and facilities. While addressing delegates in this forum, Allen expressed hope that the East Precinct will revolutionize operations in the police force and bring closer service delivery to the public. He explained further that the East Precinct (the incoming boss) will continue to organize gatherings with security councils and members of the public to keep an open dialogue and engage in productive security discussions that would improve public safety, trust, and interaction.

Allen explained the police force was planning more effective measures that would further enhance and tighten security in the community. In this respect, he said that they had organized another workshop on Saturday, April 13th scheduled to take place at the 23rd Avenue Action Plan, located at Garfield Community Center. Although the forum was very beneficial to the community, there was a communication problem mainly due to the fact that some speakers from the police department communicated in jargon. However, the meaning was passed and those in attendance left the forum satisfied with the proposals made at the meeting. With the last prayer bringing the forum to an end by 11 am, everyone departed.