The city is offering multiple opportunities for neighbors to learn leadership, and engage in the community, as part of the Police Department’s ongoing Byrne Grant activities.
The purpose of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is to improve connections between community stakeholders, to collectively reduce crime and create safer neighborhoods. Activities aim to improve communication and connectedness between law enforcement, community-based organizations, and neighbors.
To that end, staff invite neighbors to participate in the following activities. To learn more, or register, for any of these, please contact Kelly Dillman at the BCPD, at 269-966-3416 or kldillman@battlecreekmi.gov.
- Community Data Presentation – To better inform the grant projects that will evolve from the Neighborhood Problem Solving sessions below, at this presentation members of the Be Safe Battle Creek Byrne Grant Initiative will present data drawn from 2017 crime data, and various neighborhood surveys.
The meeting will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 26, at the Department of Public Works, 150 S. Kendall St.
Staff encourage neighbors to attend this presentation to inform the Neighborhood Problem Solving sessions, below.
- Neighborhood Leadership Training – A second neighborhood leadership training opportunity will help develop and expand the neighbor leadership base in the city, and equip leaders with skills to direct change in the community.
The session will be from 5-7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 30, at the Department of Public Works, 150 S. Kendall St. Register by Wednesday, April 25.
- Neighborhood Problem Solving – Community members will have the chance to brainstorm solutions to neighborhood problems – with the opportunity to apply for grant funding, via the Byrne Grant – in a series of three meetings. These meetings are designed to help guide the problem solving, project selection, and grant writing process.
The series will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays May 7, June 4, and June 25, at The Salvation Army, 400 Capital Ave. NE. Register by Monday, April 30.
Staff encourage neighbors to attend the April 26 data presentation, above, to inform this process.
- Neighborhood Ambassador Program – The city is accepting applications for the Neighborhood Ambassador Program in Neighborhood Planning Councils 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Post-Franklin, North Central, Central, and Northeast). Ambassadors – including youth – will work alongside staff to facilitate teams, do community organizing, manage projects, build leadership skills, and make an overall positive impact in the community.
This paid position will last six months, with ambassadors working 10-15 hours per month.
To learn more and apply, visit battlecreekmi.gov/jobs.