Active Citizen Series to host ‘Deliberative Dialogue’ event on policing

Students, faculty and staff are invited to take part in this dialogue on Monday, Sept. 26 at 4:30 p.m. in Lakeside 212.

Elon students, faculty and staff are invited to take part in the first Deliberative Dialogue event of the academic year on Monday, Sept. 26 at 4:30 p.m. in Lakeside 212. Advance registration is required for the event. 

In communities across the United States, people are rethinking police practices. The goal is to treat all people fairly while still enforcing the law. All Americans want to feel safe, both from crime and police misconduct. While the overall crime rate continues to decline, in 2020 alone FBI data showed a 30% increase in murders, and gun violence took nearly 20,000 American lives – the most in more than 20 years. Although federal, state, and local lawmakers have taken some steps to review policing policies and reform police departments, crucial decisions still have to be made. Making these decisions will require sustained focus and the involvement of community members, policymakers and law enforcement professionals.

A Deliberative Dialogue is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and community members to gather and exchange diverse views and experiences to seek a shared understanding of a challenge facing our society and to search for common ground for action.

The Active Citizen Series is designed to cultivate the next generation of informed leaders who will help strengthen communities and shape our democracy. This series allows students to gain a deeper understanding of how government works and to develop the necessary skills to engage in civil discourse across political divides.

This event is sponsored by Elon Votes!, Elon Political Engagement Work Group, Kernodle Center for Civic Life and the Council on Civic Engagement.