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Dallas police liaisons promote 'Safe Place' business program; city landmarks to light in trans flag colors
Summary
Dallas Police Department LGBTQ liaisons Officer Megan Sykes and Leah Hutchings described the department's liaison role and the 'Safe Place' program that partners with local businesses to offer refuge for victims of hate incidents; city announced several landmarks will be lit in trans flag colors tonight.
Officer Megan Sykes and Leah Hutchings, identified as the Dallas Police Department's LGBTQ liaisons, told the March 31 press event that the liaison role dates to the early 1990s and focuses on community engagement, training and improving trust with LGBTQ residents.
Sykes said one of the liaison program's goals is to provide a point of contact for community members and to conduct training for officers. "Hate has no home in our city," Sykes said, describing departmental efforts to protect and advocate for LGBTQ residents and staff.
The officers promoted the Dallas 'Safe Place' program, in which participating businesses display a rainbow-colored badge in their front windows and agree to provide a waiting space for victims of hate crimes and incidents while police respond. According to the liaisons, the program is intended to increase victims' confidence to report hate incidents and to broaden informal community support networks.
At closing, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam Bazaldua announced that Clyde Warren Park, Bank of America Plaza, KPMG Plaza and Reunion Tower would be lit in blue, pink and white in honor of Transgender Day of Visibility.
The liaisons encouraged more Dallas businesses to sign up for the Safe Place program and said the department will continue outreach and training efforts to improve safety and reporting.
