Johns Creek Hosting Public Listening Session Thursday

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The City of Johns Creek is hosting a public listening session from 6:30-8 p.m. on Thursday at Johns Creek High School gymnasium, 5575 State Bridge Rd.

The public listening session provides an opportunity for an open discussion where Johns Creek residents and community members can respectfully and honestly exchange information, share experiences, express perspectives, and develop ideas to help address community concerns and foster a constructive dialogue on the issues at hand.

Interested participants must complete the attendance request form here. The event will be livestreamed and the only a select number of residents may attend and participate in the discussion. The final event attendee capacity will be structured to accommodate the existing space limitations and COVID-19 social distancing and safety guidelines. Selected attendee participants will be notified before noon on Wednesday.

All CDC recommended guidelines will be followed. Participants will be required to wear a mask. Gloves and hand sanitizer will be available.

The listening session is following Johns Creek Police Chief Chris Byers being placed on administrative leave after allegations were made against him, unrelated to his online criticism of the Black Lives Movement.

Following a Facebook post criticizing the Black Lives Matter movement last month, Byers had been asked to take some time away from the job on June 11.

Now, City Manager Ed Densmore is working to connect with the community. As promised, Densmore is holding small group discussions with local leaders and individuals who've expressed interest in engaging in a dialogue to navigate the complexity of the issues within the city.

"Our objective is to hear from the community in an open and transparent format," Densmore said of the listening sessions.

"The city must look at the way we service, protect, and govern with mindfulness and equity, as well as acknowledgment and accountability. We can and will continue to listen, learn, and adjust to serve the community better and help foster healing. Learning and listening and understanding is a process. I hope you will join me in this process, as we cooperatively work to promote healing and help create a better and more inclusive community."

Read more:

• New Allegations Land Johns Creek Police Chief On Leave
• Public Listening Sessions Set For July In Johns Creek
• Black Lives Matter Post Earns Police Chief Time Off
• Black Lives Matter, Pastors Criticized By Johns Creek Police Head
• Johns Creek Chief Wants His Officers To 'Set The Standard'