Tampa police start quarterly safety workshops Monday at Fair Oaks Recreation Center, with free gun locks

Residents can sit down with Tampa police leaders Monday evening, Oct. 12, at Fair Oaks Recreation Center, 3400 E. Louisiana Ave., for the first session of a new Tampa Police Department workshop series. The event is free and open to the public, and attendees can pick up a free gun lock while supplies last.

The first session, held in the department's District 3, centers on firearm safety, responsible gun ownership and community violence prevention. A community meet and greet runs from 5:30 to 6 p.m., followed by facilitated breakout discussions from 6 to 7 p.m.

How the evening works

According to the city's Oct. 8 announcement, the workshop is organized around table discussions where residents, community leaders and neighborhood voices share ideas and suggested approaches for improving public safety and quality of life.

Acting Chief Brett Owen, members of the police command staff, City Councilwoman Naya Young, NAACP Hillsborough County Branch President Yvette Lewis and Freddy Barton, executive director of Safe & Sound Hillsborough, are set to join residents at the tables as participants, the city said.

A quarterly series

The department describes the program as a quarterly initiative meant to keep neighborhood voices at the head of the table on public safety and quality-of-life concerns. "Our goal for this workshop series is to listen to what our neighborhoods need, provide our full backing and resources, and work hand-in-hand to bring community-based solutions to life," Owen said in the release.