SEATTLE -- A new Seattle Police program hopes to build bridges between officers and the community through a little socializing. The program is called “Living Room Conversations” and it involves small group gatherings between officers and residents.
These "conversations" are designed to break down the barriers by bringing everyone together in a more comfortable atmosphere. The department matches residents willing to host an event with the police officers who work directly in that neighborhood.
Monday night, Katherine Logan invited friends and neighbors for a gathering at her Seattle home. More than a dozen people spent about two hours getting to know the officers and asking questions about crime.
Seattle Police say the program is just one of many it's using to reach out to the community. Sergeant Jay Shin has attended several.
Shin said, “I think when citizens can trust the police and police can trust the citizens; only good can come out of it.”
The department has hosted about 30, including one at Victoria Romero’s Mount Baker home. She said the event gave her community the chance to be heard about concerns in their area.
The program started before the Department of Justice released its report about issues within SPD. Many officers hope positive interactions like this will counteract some of the negative feelings people have about the department.
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