A mother organized a meeting to help children understand what to do and how to act if a police officer or sheriff’s deputy ever pulls them over.
Community members gathered with Fort Myers police officers for a forum at S.T.A.R.S. Complex in Fort Myers Thursday. Police protocols and personal rights were topics during discussion focused on “bridging the gap.”
The group covered a variety of topics with police that included learning their rights when they’re stopped, to police protocols with someone in a mental health crisis.
The forum was also about working to take a step toward rebuilding trust between community members and police, asking tough questions and getting honest answers.
Fort Myers mother trying to rebuild trust between community, police
Published: April 28, 2021 5:56 PM EDT
Updated: April 28, 2021 9:11 PM EDT
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A Fort Myers mother is trying to help rebuild trust between the community and the police who serve them.
Shenika James has seen the protests, the posters; knows the names George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Daunte Wright and others killed by police.
She doesn’t want her kids, her 19-year-old son, to be next.
“My son is at the age to drive now and I’ve got a fear for him driving,” she said.
“He’s a good boy but he could easily be profiled, and just seeing that on the news is heartbreaking.”