Fort Wayne Urban League hopes protocols for police interactions will save lives
The Fort Wayne Urban League (FWUL) is pleased to announce that the organization has created protocols to educate young people about what to do when they are driving and are stopped by the police. FWUL’s newest initiative, Mothers for the Movement – Every Child Home Alive, began making efforts to develop these protocols in July. Research included reading several books, meeting with community leaders, attending training at The Dream Center hosted by John Dortch and Captain Kevin Hunter, and meeting with several officers within the Fort Wayne Police Department including; Captain Jeremy Webb, Kevin Hunter, and Captain Kerry Haywood.
FWUL is pleased that the final version of the protocols have been vetted by the FWPD.
The protocols will soon be available via a QR code. Educational posters explaining the protocols are being created. FWUL is hoping that area organizations, businesses, and schools will be willing to partner with the organization and agree to have the posters displayed at their facilities. The effort is to ensure that youth understand exactly what to do when they are stopped by the police and to have information that is easy for parents to share with their kids.
“It would be difficult to find a black or brown family that has not had a conversation with their kids about being pulled over by the police. I have an image of our 2024 Justice Forward: STEAM camp kids watching the scene from the movie “The Hate U Give” where the dad has his family sitting around the table and goes into detail about how to behave if pulled over by the police. His hands are placed flat on the table and he provides strict instruction. It’s a powerful scene and really is an example of what many families are talking about at the dinner table. These protocols are going to be a helpful educational tool for families,” said Aisha R. Arrington, President & CEO.
Mothers for the Movement would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Lisa Beringer, Assistant Professor of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Defiance College, who was able to take all of the research that was discussed in the meetings and pair it down to these three words:
An educational video that will explain the importance of following these protocols is being filmed December 17th at the FWUL. Once the video is complete, it will be available via the organization’s website and will be shared with the community.
FWUL will also be hosting community dinners beginning in the Spring of 2025 entitled Breaking Bread, Stopping Bullets: A community dinner forum on gun violence solutions. More information about the dinners is coming soon.
