Burlington County Sheriff Jean Stanfield has announced that her department, along with the Burlington City Police Department, Tabernacle Baptist Church and their community partner Faith In Action! Inc., is hosting a youth and young adult focus group on Tuesday, Oct. 18 at 6:45 p.m. at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, 150 E. 2 St. in Burlington. The topic for the focus group is on youth and law enforcement.
“This focus group will help us to better understand the perceptions and stereotypes of law enforcement,” said Sheriff Stanfield. “This program is a great way to let our young residents know that their voices matter. We find their input valuable and want to learn better ways to effectively serve all of our residents.”
“The purpose of the focus group is to open the lines of communication, so that youth feel comfortable sharing their views on current issues, their needs, what they feel is working, and what we can all do better,” added Stanfield. “Participants can also help to create action plan ideas and recommendations to share with Burlington County leaders, as they did in their presentation to the Freeholder Board last month.”
“I know I speak for the entire Board when I say how tremendously impressed we were to hear from some of the young people that have participated in these focus groups and how appreciative we all were for the opportunity to better understand their perspective,” said Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien. “I want to commend Sheriff Stanfield, Dr. Amy Dean of Faith In Action and all those who put these groups together.”
Pizza will be provided as a thank-you for participant’s time and feedback. To register or for more information, please call the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department at (609) 265–3788 or Faith in Action! at (609) 835–7000.
