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Better Together & the Police Executive Research Forum to host four community discussions

January 2, 2015 – St. Louis, Mo. – Over the next two weeks, Better Together and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) will host four town-hall discussions to which the community is invited.

Better Together and PERF (a national research organization focused on critical issues in policing) are conducting an exploratory study to identify the “ideal” policing solution for the St. Louis region.  The key purpose of PERF’s collaboration with Better Together is to examine the geographic and demographic characteristics of St. Louis City and County and, with extensive input from the community, develop an idealized policing strategy for St. Louis.

The first town hall is Wednesday, January 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sheet Metal Workers’ Hall (2319 Chouteau Avenue, #100, St. Louis, 63103). The event is co-sponsored by Missouri State Senator Jamilah Nasheed. The second town hall takes place Thursday, January 8, from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Lodge Des Peres (1050 Des Peres Road, St. Louis, 63131).

On Wednesday, January 14, the third town hall is from 6 to 8 p.m. at Greater St. Mark Family Church (9950 Glen Owen Drive, St. Louis, 63136). The event is co-sponsored by Missouri State Representative Tommie Pierson, who is also the pastor at Greater St. Mark. The fourth town hall takes place Thursday, January 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. and is co-sponsored by Missouri State Senator Maria Chappelle-Nadal. The location will be announced shortly.

“We feel privileged to gain this type of community input,” said Better Together Executive Director Nancy Rice. “These meetings are by far the most important component of our Police Study.”

Throughout the coming months, Better Together and PERF will gather opinions and insights from thousands of community members – including police officers, clergy members and their congregants, police officers’ families’ groups, neighborhood association leaders, local elected officials, and constituents. They will also obtain and analyze data, such as jurisdiction population and demographics, crime patterns, police resources, staffing issues, etc. for the jurisdictions and police departments within the St. Louis region.

“Our work in St. Louis comes at a historic moment,” said Chuck Wexler, Executive Director of PERF. “We are here to listen to community members throughout the region as they share their thoughts about the challenges of policing in this area and how police and community members can work together to improve police services.”

To sign up for one of the town-hall meetings, please visit