Webster Groves police, community partners plan May 18 safety event emphasizing bike safety, youth outreach

Webster Groves police staff and members of the Police Community Engagement Board (PCEB) outlined plans on a recent meeting to host a community safety event on May 18 at the city rec center, soliciting volunteers and partners and discussing publicity, giveaways, and recording permissions.

The meeting, led by Vince (police department staff/leader), reviewed an event agenda that includes a safety presentation from Sergeant Flannery, a police media information segment, a short presentation from the newly trained Webster Groves bike team, a PCEB introduction, and a question-and-answer session. Partners listed to support the event include the Lions Club, the Webster Groves Police Officers Association, Sunset Cyclery and Red Bull. Food and beverages will be available on site, with Lions Club volunteers providing grilled items, the transcript shows.

The event is intended as a community-facing launch for larger outreach work and safety programming. “Bring 5 people. Get 5 people to come,” Vince told the group as a baseline goal, saying that if each board member recruits five attendees the event could draw “almost 50 people” and, with more effort, “a 100 people.” The group discussed targeting families and school groups to increase turnout.

Why it matters: the event is framed as a hands-on way to introduce residents to police programs (including a bike team) and to build momentum for later projects…