The Fort Wayne Urban League, rattled by police action shootings this year, is moving forward with a campaign to improve outcomes and has landed on three key words: Stop, Show, Stay.
The local organization Wednesday said it has created protocols to educate young people about what to do if stopped by police when theyappre driving.
A graphic element for the awareness campaign includes in large bold letters the three key words and incorporates others to explain what might prevent tension, misunderstandings and possibly be life-saving.
Underneath Stop, the words are car, motor and movements, and below Show it says hands, ID and respect. Under the word Stay are the words put, calm and alive.
The protocols were developed based on the interest of seven women who this summer volunteered for the Urban Leagueapps Mothers for the Movement app Every Child Home Alive initiative.
That developed in July after police action shootings this year, primarily the June death of 22-year-old Linzell Parhm. He was killed by a Fort Wayne Police Department officer during a traffic stop for an undisclosed reason.
Parhm was a passenger in the vehicle and the first officer to approach the car noticed a gun within his reach. Parhm did not follow orders to keep his hands high, based on officer-worn body camera video released after several community members called for transparency and less aggressive policing.
appIt 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. app These protocols are going to be a helpful educational tool for families,app Aisha R. Arrington, the Urban Leagueapps president and CEO, said in a statement.
The Urban League said in a news release that the protocols stem from research since early summer.
That involved research including reading the book appThe Hate U Give, Policing the Black Manapp and literature from the ACLU of Indiana and meeting with community leaders.
Businessman John Dortch and Fort Wayne Police Capt. Kevin Hunter hosted training at The Dream Center. Those involved with the initiative also met with several local police department officers.
Lisa Beringer, an assistant professor of diversity, equity and inclusion at Defiance College, is credited with synthesizing information and the input gleaned into the three words.
The protocols have been vetted by the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Urban League said.
The protocols will soon be available via a QR code and educational posters explaining them are being created, the release said. The Urban League hopes area organizations, businesses, and schools will partner with it and agree to display the posters at their facilities.
An educational video that will explain the importance of following these protocols is scheduled to be filmed Tuesday at the Urban League offices on Hanna Street.
Once the video is complete, it will be available through the Urban Leagueapps website and shared with the community.
Next spring, the Urban League plans to host community dinners entitled appBreaking Bread, Stopping Bullets.app The community dinner forums will focus on gun violence solutions.
