How will we

Bridge the Difference?

Charlotte is a city of over 850,000 diverse residents with varying viewpoints. Bridge the Difference aims to bring our community together for conversations about policing, public safety and community impact. These community conversations are taking place all across Charlotte, and your perspective is critical to bridging gaps and creating mutual understanding.

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Goals

1

Involve

Involve the community inclusive of all perspectives to engage and understand wants/actions.
2

Understand

Increase understanding and trust through a series of conversations about police and community relations and public safety.
3

Mitigate

Mitigate potential challenges/issues in advance of the RNC and other major events with effective community outreach and interaction.

Upcoming Events

YOUTH: Building a Positive Future

When: Tuesday, April 30, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Johnston YMCA (in NODA) – 3025 N. Davidson St. Charlotte, NC 28205

The Bridge the Difference community engagement series is featuring an event for youth produced by the youth!

Generation Nation and the Young Black Leadership Alliance are partnering with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to feature youth-centric programming aimed at 8th – 10th graders.

Join Chewy from 92.7 The Block for an evening centered around Building a Positive Future —Showing Youth their Potential and How to Attain what they Aspire!

Come out to the Johnston YMCA, and Bridge the Difference with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Built by teens from Generation Nation and Young Black Leadership Alliance, this event also features:

  • An awesome panel including President of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Youth Council Righteous Keitt, Teen Life Coach Cyndy Etler, Assistant Director of Admissions at Queens University Jasmyn Lindsay, VP at Bank of America and Founder of the Jump Institute Jarron Thomas and more!
  • Dozens of vendors will be on hand to provide resources to attendees such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Police Activities League, and Right Moves for Youth that will be ready to sign you up for opportunities within the community.
  • A free gift to the first 250 attendees!

Transit and parking options include:

  • FREE transit to and from the event on CATS buses and trains (just show the BTD flyer attached)
  • Parking at the YMCA NODA
RSVP

Bridge the Difference and get involved by volunteering (sign-up form below), sponsoring or creating an event. Email BridgingtheDifference@CMPD.org for more information. 

Videos

Media Coverage

WJZY-TV (FOX NEWS) – CMPD Chief Kerr Putney hosting event to “bridge the gap”

WCNC-TV – CMPD Chief Kerr Putney tells WCNC he wants feedback from the community 

The Charlotte Weekly – Police Bridging Differences Leading up to the RNC

WBTV 1:1 Interview with Chief Putney on Bridging the Difference – Nov. 12, 2018

WSOC-TV – Nov. 12 – CMPD Chief Focused on Creating Peace ahead of RNC

WCCB-TV Nov. 12 – CMPD Chief Kicks off Bridging the Difference Campaign Ahead of RNC

Charlotte Post – Nov. 2, 2018 – “In Other Words” – CMPD Chief Kerry Putney reveals an initiative to engage the community in law enforcement support and accountability ahead of major events.

Spectrum News – Nov. 1, 2018 – CMPD: Bridging the Difference Before RNC 2020

Charlotte Magazine – October 2018 – CMPD’s “Bridging the Difference”: A First Step in RNC 2020 Prep

The Pat McCrory Show with Bo Thompson – WBT Radio – October 2018 – CMPD Chief Kerr Putney and Robert Dawkins Talk Reducing Violence

WFAE Charlotte Talks – CMPD Chief Kerr Putney On Keeping Guns Out Of Schools, Preparing For 2020 RNC

Desired Outcomes

Shift

See a shift in accountability/support spectrum results from before/after meetings to demonstrate progress in thinking, conversation and understanding

Challenge

Challenge attendees to have ongoing conversations and engagement about these important issues

Solicit

Solicit volunteers for large city events – target the need for city ambassadors

Encourage

Encourage questions beyond this event.

Create

Create a movement with #BridgeCLT, and shift attention to conversation, not confrontation

Resources

Take the implicit bias test

Take the Test

Book – “The Person You Mean to Be”

Buy the Book

Become a Volunteer

Please pledge your commitment to be a Charlotte Ambassador (community volunteer).

We are looking for people who want to:

  • Be a part of impactful conversations
  • Share information with others
  • Welcome outsiders into our community
  • Assist local law enforcement to keep our city safe by providing additional eyes and ears in the community

TRAINING:

REGISTER FOR AMBASSADOR TRAINING HERE!

Sessions will be held in March, June and September. Help us bridge the difference, and become an ambassador in the Charlotte community.