You do not rise to the level of your goals.
You fall to the level of your systems.
— James Clear
ACKNOWLEDGE THE PAST
Portland, like the rest of the United States, has a long history of law enforcement acting on behalf of white, wealthy interests, using force to manage social unrest, putting down movements seeking to address inequality, and to protect private property and the existing social order, including racial hierarchies. Overcoming this history is difficult. Attitudes are passed down within communities, with stereotypes reinforced by personal experience or shared stories, solidifying into difficult-to-alter worldviews. Distrust is strong and it runs both ways.
TALK TO EACH OTHER
TrustLab was created to help communities change this dynamic. We engage all stakeholders – city leaders, police leadership and officers, business and community leaders, social justice advocates, and members of the community – using a proven methodology to break down barriers and to build trust. Bringing these groups together is the key to lasting change: TrustLab helps these groups through the difficult conversations necessary to begin healing, build trust, and create safe communities.
At TrustLab, we believe we can overcome distrust and division through intentional dialogue, integrated into every component of our communities. We are committed to creating places for honest conversation and accountability and ensuring that everyone has a place at the table. To create a safe space where we ALL have a voice, we must:
SUSTAIN DIALOGUE
TrustLab is working with the City of Portland and others to create new structures for these needed conversations. Because we believe that creating safe communities is a group project, we need support from community leaders, the business community, our elected officials, and from law enforcement.
We are all accountable to building a safe and vibrant community. Trust Lab is here to build the relationships and community partnerships to make that happen. The trust of the public cannot be built on a failing public safety system. Yet no public safety organization can improve alone. What is needed is coordinated action and cross organizational engagement. This is the only way to develop a comprehensive public safety plan built on sound policy and equitable community engagement. At TrustLab we facilitate intentional dialogue, integrated into every component of our communities. We are committed to creating places for honest conversation to overcome distrust and encourage accountable leadership. This effective coordination is needed now more than ever to make Portland a safer place to live not just for today but for our children’s future.
The police are just one piece of a comprehensive public safety plan. It will take more.
DIALOGUE & IMPLEMENT
TrustLab was created to help communities change and transform the dynamic of distrust into one of engagement and solutions. We engage disparate members of the community ecosystem – city leaders, police leadership and officers, business and community leaders, social justice advocates, and members of the community – using a proven methodology to break down barriers and to build trust. Bringing these groups together is the key to lasting change: TrustLab helps these groups through the difficult conversations necessary to begin healing, build trust, and create safe communities.