Building Bridges & Breaking Biases: Collaborating with Public Safety and Local Community Groups

Empathy leads to change. Change starts with us.

Recent national discussions on police reform have been largely focused on federal and state legislative initiatives, however the foundation for meaningful common-ground reform begins locally and requires collaboration between local communities and their law enforcement agencies. And National Faith & Blue Weekend (NFBW), taking place Oct. 9-12, strives to do just that by connecting law enforcement and residents to find common ground through collaborative and respectful communication via local houses of worship.

The NFBW initiative is based on the premise that strong communities are built on mutual respect and understanding. By reinforcing the connections between public safety professionals and the communities they serve, this national program aims to help build bridges and break biases locally. And it’s why all of us at FirstNet, Built with AT&T, are honored to support this groundbreaking event. Activities include community dialogue, service projects and other interactive experiences to help foster ongoing, authentic and mutual community-law enforcement trust.

This unprecedented effort, convened by MovementForward, Inc. and the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), is being led by representatives of every major national law enforcement group and faith tradition in the United States. It is laser-focused on facilitating positive and actionable community relations between citizens and law enforcement – ultimately helping to build safer, stronger and more unified communities all across the country.

FirstNet is the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to and purpose-built specifically for them. This is equipping law enforcement, fire fighters, paramedics, 9-1-1 telecommunicators, emergency managers and other public safety personnel with unthrottled access to the interoperable communications they need, no matter the emergency.

As America’s public safety network partner, serving public safety is our mission. We’re proud to work alongside these brave men and women to help ensure they have the critical communications they need. And our support goes beyond connectivity.

Earlier this year, we made a commitment to support the health and wellness of public safety professionals. Going beyond the typical aspects of protective tools, addressing and providing resources that focus on mental health, sleep deprivation and injury reductions is a high priority.

We also deliver on our commitment to public safety through supporting stronger public safety and community relationships – making this grassroots effort to strengthen police-community relations in neighborhoods across the country a natural tie. Supporting public safety and the communities they serve is what we do.

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