OUR MISSION IS TO REDUCE ACTS OF VIOLENCE BETWEEN THE POLICE AND COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING EMPOWERMENT EDUCATION TO BOTH PEACE OFFICERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. EVENT + RESPONSE = OUTCOME (E + R = O) “Why’d You Stop Me” (WYSM) is based off this simple equation. “Events” occur in our life. How we chose to “React” to these events is what determines the “Outcome” of each situation. A positive reaction to ANY event should produce a positive outcome. WHY DO WE NEED “WYSM?” IN OUR COMMUNITY? There is a violent confrontation between the police and a community member EVERY hour in our country, and this violence often stems from a lack of understanding and mistrust for the police. It is crucial that we educate our future leaders in the community about policing in order to promote positive interactions between community members and the police. Long Beach police officer, Jason Lehman, created this unique, half-day program to increase transparency in policing in an effort to eliminate these acts of violence. WHO IS WYSM’S TARGET AUDIENCE? WYSM targets numerous audiences including high school and college students, police academies, community and neighborhood groups, civic leaders, and law enforcement personnel. HOW IS THE WYSM MESSAGE DELIVERED? The program is presented over one, two, or three sessions in order to adapt to audiences scheduling. The interactive program brings participants into the shoes of the police officer in order to understand the struggle with power and fear that our officers encounter. The program also incorporates an anti-gang and anti-narcotics message from a male African-American ex-gang member and female Hispanic recovered drug addict. The dynamic speakers’ messages coupled with audience-involved and scenario-based training, creates an increased understanding by the audience, thus creating trust and respect for policing.