Montco forum on police-public relations to be held

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Forum on police-public relations to be held

NORRISTOWN Inspired by "recent high-profile shootings of unarmed African American men," a community group is hosting a town-hall forum in Norristown to discuss police-community relations.

Panelists include Norristown's police chief, Montgomery County's chief public defender, a lawyer, social justice activists, and the director of the county's Youth Aid Panel.

The goal is to talk about crime and how to "prevent escalation, but also how can we reduce the amount of juvenile arrests in Montgomery County," said Denise Marie Snow, who is organizing the event for Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

The problem goes beyond Norristown, she said. Abington, Pottstown, and other areas of the county have seen a rise in arrests among young minorities.

The forum, titled "Hands Up, Don't Shoot!" will be Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Greater Norristown Police Athletic League, 340 Harding Blvd. - Jessica Parks