The Sacramento Kings are actively attempting to bridge the current divide between law enforcement and youth in their area with the creation of their first event, a youth town hall meeting.
According to the ABC 10, DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay, Matt Barnes and Garrett Temple hosted and facilitated the private meeting on Monday at Midtown Bayside Church in Sacramento. 150 local high school students engaged in a Q&A sessions and role played a variety of scenarios like how to react in a traffic stop.
Attempting to close the divide between communities and police, youth were given the opportunity to voice their concerns to high ranking officials and work together to identify solutions. Barnes, a Sacramento native stressed the importance of meetings like these.
“We feel like there is a lack of knowledge on the citizens part and a lack of knowledge on the police officers’ part which creates fear,” Barnes said.
“Officers being more personable, citizens being more susceptible and open to listening to what they have to say; and that goes both ways,” said Barnes.