APD holds Community Listening Session allowing citizens voices to be heard

ALBANY, Ga. – Chief Persley invited the Albany community for a Community Listening Session.

Making it an open forum for residents to voice their opinions or ideas.

This marked the city’s first-ever community listening session, aiming to establish an open communication channel for residents.

The event addressed a wide range of topics raised by the community and provided a platform for discussing ways to improve local issues.

“So, one of the things that is very important when you do community engagement is to make sure you understand what the community is truly saying. We will always sit and we’ll look at our data. We’ll look at the numbers and we’ll hear things and we will come up with plans. But, the biggest part we need to do is sit, talk with the people. And, honestly, we need to listen more than we’re talking,” said Chief Michael Persley, Albany Police Department (APD).

Many topics were covered during the session, but the Chief of Police took time to share his key focus areas with the audience. He outlined a two-year plan centered on

Engaging the community,

Enhancing public safety,

Embracing technology,

And… empowering employers.

Also, asking for ways to help the youths voices heard.

Chief Persley also emphasized the importance of amplifying youth voices, inviting suggestions on how to achieve this goal. He assured attendees that these ideas would be presented to the city commission for consideration.

“You know, the biggest goal that I have is, when I talk about my focus points tonight, but even when we grow those focus points is the community in mind. They’ve heard my heart about focus points. I’ve heard their hearts. And, so, whatever actions we put in place, for the community is something that someone can say. You know what? I was at that session, and I made a comment, or I heard a comment made, and they’re actually implementing it,” said Chief Persley.

If you missed out on the first session don’t worry…

As next Monday on the 16th there will be another Community Listening Session at the police station at 6:30 p.m.

Gabe Hutton reporting.

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