MPD's Community Outreach unit, in partnership with Common Wealth Development, facilitated direct conversations between Chief Barnes and Madison area youth during the Chief's second week. "The idea of leadership is to lead for the future" Chief Barnes shared with youth participants in one of the Zoom conversations. He asked for their feedback on important community topics, including safety and how youth might want to positively interact with Madison Officers. The youth in attendance shared their ideas for innovative youth – police engagement, broached restorative justice opportunities, and shared a vision of officers getting to know youth on an individual level, with the hope of a "ripple" effect of trust and connectedness.
