Neighborhood advocates like Danielle Hille are working to turn community outrage into action.
"It's unfortunate. We have to be concerned [with] how the police address us and how different it [is] going to be," Hille said.
Common Council member Dorcey Appylrs also chairs the public safety board and views the upcoming meetings as a way to spark policy changes from within.
- Police body cameras showing APD officers responding to a noise complaint in the Arbor hill area kickstart action
- Advocates are organizing a series of meetings to be attended by Police Chief Eric Hawkins
- Community members hope to provide the community with a platform for systemic change
"What happens from there is those leading the meeting need to come together to make sure concerns don't fall on deaf ears," Appylrs said.
The number one concern for all parties are police community relations, but Hille says there are other circumstances plaguing the area.
One such circumstance is the absence of community centers, restaurants, and nightlife result in residents gathering inside the privacy of their own homes.
"We have to be intentional about making sure that community members have safe outlets and spaces so the house party or social activity at a home doesn't become a nuisance," Appylrs said.
Overall, advocates say police conduct in neighborhoods of color must evolve. There will be three series of meetings which will take place at the Arbor Hill community Center just off 2nd street.
The first meeting is scheduled for April 22 at 5:30 p.m.