By Kathy Chouteau
Two virtual events next week will offer opportunities for residents to learn more about Richmond’s current state of public safety and to be part of the broader dialogue on how the city should be policed in the future.
The Richmond Police Department’s “Chat with Chief French” is slated for Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. on Zoom and invites residents to learn more about the chief’s vision for the department, staffing updates, the pandemic’s impact and next steps. Participants are welcomed to submit questions regarding any of the Zoom’s related topics in advance by Tues., Aug. 25 at Noon. Register and submit questions at the Zoom link here.
A second upcoming virtual event, “A Community Conversation Series Reimagining Police and Public Safety,” is part of a City Council-approved effort to reimagine policing in Richmond, as previously reported by The Standard. Set for Thursday, Aug. 27 from 5:30-7 p.m., the Zoom event will include Richmond Mayor Tom Butt, Vice Mayor Nat Bates, City Manager Laura Snideman and Police Chief Bisa French. Tiffany Hoang of CircleUp Education will moderate the event, during which residents are encouraged by organizers to “ask questions, make suggestions and inform our direction” regarding “[examining] our current public safety model and [exploring] opportunities for reform.”
To submit questions for the Community Conversation, click here. To participate in the Zoom, click here and use passcode 702422.
