What is

Bridging the Difference?

Charlotte is a city of over 850,000 diverse residents with varying viewpoints. Bridging the Difference aims to bring our community together for conversations about policing, public safety, community impact and a wide range of other topics. These community conversations will be 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

Opioids: Addressing the Epidemic and Debunking Myths

When: Thursday, March 21, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Calvary Church (LC-1300 Auditorium) — 5801 Pineville-Matthews Rd.

The Bridging the Difference community engagement series will tackle a tough subject in our community — opioids.

What are opioids? Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and pain relievers available legally by prescription such as oxycodone (OxyContin®), hydrocodone (Vicodin®), codeine, morphine and many others.

There is so much misinformation and misunderstanding out there —- stigmas and stereotypes. This is a real issue in our community, and Bridging the Difference is tackling this in March.

Join us for an evening of education and understanding as we continue Bridging the Difference.

  • WBTV’s Molly Grantham will serve as the event’s moderator.

  • Dr. Paul Roman Chelminski, MD, MPH, FACP will deliver a State of the Issue presentation.

  • A dynamic panel will discuss personal journeys as well as address the issue in Charlotte.

  • Group feedback and discussion.

RSVP

YOUTH: Building a Positive Future

When: Thursday, April 18, 2-4 p.m.
Location: ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center — 300 E. 7th St. Charlotte, NC 28202

The Bridging 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.

More details to come!

RSVP

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 Bridging 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.

More details to come!

RSVP

Get involved in Bridging the Difference 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 to be directed to BridgingTheDifference@cmpd.org.

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.