AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/trust/)
Many in the African American and Latinx communities remain wary of immunization and the medical establishment at large, writes state Rep. La Shawn Ford. That’s why “we have to make sure that people trust the vaccine will work, and we need to do everything that we can to bring an understanding to our community about how important it is to take the vaccine and to be able to trust it,” Ford says.
Last weekend’s discussion, hosted by state Rep. Camille Lilly and Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx, addressed public concerns about the criminal justice system and community policing.
Teens talked at Saturday’s meeting about their fear of officers, while 15th District Commander Dwayne Betts vowed to break down the walls between the department and local residents.
That’s one reason many homicide cases in Chicago remain unsolved, but some also blame mistrust residents have of police.
One woman urges residents at a recent community meeting to take more dramatic action to prevent West Side students from losing their schools.
West Side advocate and community development consultant, Valerie Leonard, is urging residents to contact their alderman before tomorrow’s 10 a.m. special Chicago City Council meeting.
Just two CAPS officers are working in the 15th District of the Chicago Police Department, down from five before this fall’s cuts. That’s causing some Austin residents to question the city’s commitment to the nearly 20-year-old program that brings officers and citizens together to fight crime.