Together Baton Rouge said today it has adopted a request from the U.S. Justice Department and the Louisiana Governor’s Office to spearhead a program on community policing called Project Spirit.
The project is a full day of dialogue in which all segments of the community are invited to participate and discuss where Baton Rouge is, how they view the city’s problems and to offer ideas about how the city can move forward.
“Our goal is to get people on the street, on the corner … those who are experiencing some struggles in their lives, to make them a part of this discussion. People with the problem need to be part of the discussion on how to solve the problem,” the Rev. Lee Wesley said during a press conference in which the group laid out its priorities for the next six months.
Other priorities includes developing a citywide strategy to develop meaningful reform for systemic problems and holding meetings in every council district with those running for council and mayor.
Wesley says Together Baton Rouge adopted the request today at an executive committee meeting.
The initiative comes in light of recent violence in Baton Rouge, including Sunday’s fatal shooting of three law enforcement officers and the July 5 shooting death of 37-year-old Alton Sterling.
—Alexandria Burris
