The public is invited to a community conversation, focused on police operations, hosted by Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30.
The event, which grew out of the June 4 protest in Lebanon after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody, will be held virtually. The decision to do that rather than gather in person was made after Gov. Tom Wolf announced new statewide restrictions in response to the latest COVID-19 outbreak, Capello told LebTown.
People must register by 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, by emailing jbooth@lebanonpa.org or calling 717-228-4401. The forum will be carried via Zoom, and registrants will receive a link to join.
Speaking at the event, in addition to Capello and Lebanon police Chief Todd Breiner, will be Holly Leahy, administrator of the county’s Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention Program, and two attorneys, one of whom is a Right-to-Know specialist.
After the June 4 protest, which drew an estimated 500 people, and the protests that followed, Capello said someone put together a petition with questions for the city and its police.
A lot of what the petition asks is now department policy, she said, and one goal of the community conversation is to share that with residents, “to show what improvements we are making.”
For example, the petition requested mandatory bias training for Lebanon police, “and that’s already in place,” Capello said.
Another purpose of the forum – just as important – “is we want to hear from people,” she said, “get their thoughts and concerns.”
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