October Community Safety Meeting

Businesses across Seward and Longfellow are navigating increasingly complex safety challenges, from theft and vandalism to overdoses, substance use, and other community crises. Business owners and employees are often among the first people to witness or respond to these situations, even when doing so falls far outside their jobs.

SCCA invites local business owners, employees, and community partners to join us for a Community Safety Meeting on Tuesday, October 20, from 4:00–5:30 p.m.

This meeting will create space for businesses to share what they are experiencing, connect with others facing similar challenges, and learn about practical tools and resources available to support businesses and their staff.

We’ll discuss:

• The emotional and mental health toll of regularly witnessing or responding to safety incidents and community crises
• What businesses are experiencing and where additional support is needed
• Tools, resources, and guidance for responding to safety incidents
• Opportunities for businesses and neighborhood organizations to better communicate and support one another
• Current advocacy efforts and what we can collectively ask of City leadership
• Next steps for developing practical, community-informed solutions

These are complicated issues, and this conversation will make room for that complexity. We can have empathy for neighbors experiencing homelessness, addiction, or other crises while also acknowledging the very real impact these situations can have on businesses, employees, customers, and the surrounding community.

Our goal is to have a productive, respectful conversation focused on what we can do together, what resources are available now, and where we need greater support.

Tuesday, October 20
4:00–5:30 p.m.
LOCATION - TBD'

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All Seward and Longfellow business owners and employees are welcome.