Vision Statement
Conway Public Safety: responsible for everyone; accountable to everyone.
10 Goals
- In 2035, Conway will establish an independent citizens review board for public safety departments to review misconduct and excessive force claims and review development and training to ensure transparency and accountability.
- In 2035, Conway will take advantage of the current Crisis Stabilization Unit in Pulaski County with a long-term goal of creating and funding an independent Crisis Stabilization Unit to better serve and protect citizens with special needs of any kind.
- In 2035, Conway will have a robust set of options to respond to emergencies including a local crisis stabilization unit, non-armed response teams, social workers, trained EMT’s, etc. so that local dispatch have a variety of teams available to respond to a diverse range of emergencies in an equitable and safe method for all members of the community.
- In 2035, Conway has reduced or eliminated all fines and fees associated with the criminal legal process, including cash bail to decriminalize poverty.
- In 2035, Conway will demonstrate a greater focus on community policing and training so that residents and officers will better trust one another and depend on one another.
- In 2035, Conway will have established a formal program created by community, experts, and social workers, together with law enforcement to reduce the real number of arrests and incarcerations.
- In 2035, Conway will have decreased the incarcerated population and arrest rates by 50% and crime will also be down in the city by a proportional amount so that our city can have more people contributing to our society.
- In 2035, Conway will have committed to having a bi-annual townhall for community input and continuous improvement on how the city can improve and sustain public safety.
- In 2035, Conway will reduce the number of SROs to reduce punitive incidents and better serve students and implement alternative methods, including nurses, social workers, and psychologists.
- In 2035, Conway will hire a more diverse workforce across the public safety sector to better represent all citizens in our community.
5 Ways Individuals Can Support This Sector
- Find ways to get involved: Volunteer, give or donate to local organizations that provide direct support to the most vulnerable in our community, including at-risk students, those dealing with homelessness.
- Develop a personal crisis network as first-response to emergency situations instead of police response (neighbors, family, friends, neighborhood group or associations, etc.)
- Obtain first-aid training, including street medic, mental health first-aid training, etc.
- Amplify community voices and their needs to policy makers: Speak to City Council representatives and other government officials; encourage others to do the same
- Find aspirational benchmarks in communities around the country and research their policies. Invite those who have lived elsewhere to share their experiences in those communities.
5 Ways Organizations Can Support This Sector
- Conway Chamber – educating the business community about changes in public safety response (Crisis Stabilization Unit)
- Local behavioral health experts/hospitals – responsible to set community expectations on public safety response.
- New Community Review Board – Host listening community sessions
- Local Media – distribute information to community members about how to give feedback on public safety and distribute public safety goals
- Local Health Care Organizations – Can lead a public education campaign on keeping weapons secured and reducing unintentional shootings, child access to guns, and suicides.
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