BY MEGHAN CALLAHAN
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
GREEN BAY – The Green Bay Police Department (GBPD) is working to build bridges in the Latino community through weekly educational sessions.
Building Bridges with Law Enforcement (Construyendo Puentes con la Policia) runs March 19 to April 16, and is designed to educate its Latino participants about the Green Bay Police Department, as well as other law enforcement, by providing essential information.
The information includes topics such as traffic regulations, domestic violence awareness, mental health, juvenile laws and more.
“The inspiration for the sessions stemmed from the constant influx of newcomers to our community” reported Natalia Sidon, GBPD community liaison.
The department recognizes the unique needs of new community members as well as their possible inexperience with area law enforcement and the court systems.
The overall goal of these sessions is to empower members of the Latino community by “providing them with a comprehensive understanding of local and state laws” as well as being equipped with information.
“As the founder of this program, I believe that we have made significant progress toward achieving our goal,” stated Sidon.
This program has been held annually since 2014 and is working to build trust and positive relationships.
“It is an excellent way to sustain the positive impact and further deepen the connections and understanding within the community,” added Sidon.
The sessions are open to adults, with five planned meetings at Casa de Vida, 1464 Main St., Green Bay.
Each session will offer a variety of different topics to keep participants engaged. “In the larger picture, these sessions contribute to a multifaceted approach to community empowerment through education by promoting positive behavior and building trust with law enforcement,” Sidon explained, and “to create a community where all members feel supported and equipped to contribute positively.”
Sidon said that attendees should come with “an open mind, willingness to learn and confidence to ask questions.”
For more information, visit https://greenbaywi.gov/1173/Building-Bridges-Construyendo-Puentes or contact Sidon at (920) 448-3330 or [email protected].