The City of Urbana has announced the first Community Engagement Event to gather feedback on the future of alternative response to public safety calls better suited to community-based responders.
Public Engagement Opportunities
The Friday, May 1 Community Engagement Event will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at Urbana City Hall. The Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) will kick off with a progress report. Then, the floor will open for public comment, a question-and-answer session, and community dialogue facilitated by LEAP.
On the preceding afternoon of Thursday, April 30, policy-focused residents are invited to observe Alternative Response Task Force (ARTF) Working Session #6. While the public is encouraged to attend and observe, the working session will not include a live public comment period due to time and facility constraints. Working Session #6 runs from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Independent Media Center (IMC) in Urbana.
Defining Alternative Response
Public safety isn’t one-size-fits-all. The Alternative Response Task Force (ARTF) initiative aims to develop a community-informed model for public safety calls that may not require traditional police intervention. Whether residents have questions about alternative models or want to share perspectives on neighborhood safety, the Community Event is designed to put the community’s voice at the center of the discussion.
Event Schedule
- Observe the Process: Thursday, April 30, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Independent Media Center (IMC), 202 South Broadway Avenue.
- Share Your Voice: Friday, May 1, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, 400 South Vine Street.
Community members unable to attend in person can find additional details, including livestream and replay options and a comparison of the two events, in Frequently Asked Questions on the City’s website: https://www.urbanail.gov/executive-department/page/alternative-response-task-force.