For the past several years, staff with Out Boulder County have been engaging with communities and hearing about their concerns specific to feeling safe. In a climate where those on the fringe of society are becoming more and more brazen, acts of hate, specifically towards members of LGBTQ communities, seemed to be on the rise. This feeling of increased hate was substantiated as agencies at the local, state, and federal level have continued to report an increase in acts of violence against LGBTQ, Jewish and migrant communities.
In the fall of 2022, Out Boulder County (OBC) began actively engaging in plans to increase community safety and combat hate, not only in Boulder, but across the Rocky Mountain region. In October, OBC, with the help of the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, were one of the first two LGBTQ organizations to receive funding from the Center of Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) to dedicate staff time and resources to this vitally important work. These funds will go towards a the launching and supporting the Pride In Safety Project, a project aimed as increasing community safety by engaging with community members and local law enforcement to increase trust.
The following are a few examples of what the project hopes to achieve:
Building an online resource center and project hub - www.SafetyinPride.org
Re-engage members of law enforcement enhance the previously launched LGBTQ Liaison Program
Provide training to community partners, specific to community safety concerns, investigating bias-motivated crimes, victim support, and barriers to reporting
Engaging in meaningful community workshops to learn about specific community concerns and provide reporting and safety resources
Facilitate events for members of communities who historically have a strained relationship with law enforcement to engage with members of local agencies
Through training, community engagement, and reporting, increase meaningful intervention and prevention of harm to members of all communities
With substantial support from the entire OBC staff, a Project Core Team was established to demonstrate OBC's commitment to this project and ensuring its success.
Mardi Moore (she/her) - OBC Executive Director
Michal Duffy (they/them) - OBC Director of Education
Kevin Marples (he/him) - BlueGovTech LLC, Project Manager
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