Featured Blog: How Can We Create A More Safe, Connected Community in Roseville?

People seem increasingly disinclined to feel connected in their physical communities these days:

• We live very private lives, rarely talking with, supporting, or relying on neighbors.

• We check our cell phones 24/7, missing out on that mindful experience of being present in our environment.

• We raise families with both parents working and children off doing sports, giving us little time to slow down and connect with one another.

• Our children attend schools with oftentimes overworked and stressed teachers and staff, and may directly or indirectly experience bullying among peers.

On top of this, we have witnessed inter-personal violence on an increasingly large scale across the nation within the last year: from the elementary school massacre in Connecticut last December to the bombs at the Boston Marathon finish line last week. And more locally, the workplace shooting in a sign shop in a Minneapolis neighborhood last September.

Could it be that the two are linked? What is contributing to this phenomena? What is the antidote to violence? Could a connected community of connected families and residents help prevent violence?

Special Dialogue Sessions Coming April 30, May 14

In response to this trend of violence and disconnectedness in our communities, I am pleased to announce that the Human Rights Commission - in partnership with the Roseville Police Department and Roseville School District - is hosting two community dialogues on violence prevention entitled, "Creating a Safe and Connected Community."

The first dialogue is Tuesday, April 30th (RSVP requested), beginning at 5:15pm at the Roseville Skating Center, while the second will take place on Tuesday, May 14th (see attached flyer). Roseville residents, parents, middle and high school students, and business owners/employees are invited to participate.

At these participatory events, we will learn from each other what it means to live in and create a safe and connected community (drawing from our past experiences) and how we can foster more of this at both the individual and collective level. 

But the reflection and conversation can begin anytime! Although I find the Internet is not an ideal way to connect with others (anonymity and the lack of physical presence can numb our social-emotional sensibilities), if you feel so inclined, please reflect on the topic and return to this page to post your comments. The forum facilitators are ensuring us, "Whoever comes is meant to be there!" Equally, whoever comments is meant to comment (however, please keep it respectful :).

I look forward to both the dialogues, and hopefully to reading your comments!