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The Monroe County Public Defender'! � became involved after a couple of hig le events in the Rochester <br />community: the videotaping of a woman during a police arrest; and, the arrest of a pregnant woman. Public Defender Tim <br />Donaher explained that the community leaders serving on the CRT's advisory committee enhanced the project's legitimacy. <br />As the advisory group developed, it considered -how to engage diverse segments of the community. Liberti explained, <br />"Those outspoken activist groups in our community should be part of this effort; whether they have been invited or have <br />self -excluded is unclear. No effort will be successful without engaging all groups. Bringing all people to the table will help <br />to heal any real or perceived divisions on all sides. It is imperative we build cohesiveness... A fundamental way of building <br />consensus is by engaging one's most outspoken opponent" O'Flynn agreed that that it would be hard to identify who <br />should not be involved. Donaher noted that "lay" leaders and community groups ought to be identified and more integrally <br />involved to be the responders when an incident occurs. <br />Train and ASSESS Readiness <br />66Being ready also means having the proper training.19 <br />— Tim Donaher <br />CRT leaders initially disagreed about the best method for assessing readiness. O'Flynn says, "The question is whether we <br />have the mechanisms and are prepared prior to a crisis. Where does the CRT fit? How do we determine when and if there <br />is activation of the CRT? What are the safety and legal issues to be addressed? At what level do we activate and who does <br />that involve?" <br />Some members suggested engaging in a simulation would help the CRT assess whether the community is ready to respond <br />to a community crisis. Others thought the best way to assess readiness is to see how the community and the CRT respond <br />to a divisive community incident. <br />Herriott-Sullivan suggested dialogue: "bringing stakeholders to the table and asking for their input on an assessment tool" <br />would help determine Rochester's readiness. <br />In September 2017, CRT hosted a two-day event to 1) update the Rochester community on the progress of the CRT effort; <br />and, 2) train CRT members to respond to crisis and use an assessment tool to begin identifying whether the community is <br />prepared to respond to a divisive event. <br />The first day was a public forum open to the community to learn about the Community Response Team efforts and progress. <br />Two speakers were highlighted. One was Judge Peggy Hora from California, the other former chief, Andre Anderson, <br />from Ferguson, MO. They spoke expertly and candidly about the issues and possibilities for appropriate responses by law <br />enforcement and community members when the potential and actual threats of civil unrest occur. <br />The second day was a training workshop conducted for prospective CRT responders. Rochester's Center for Dispute <br />Settlement conducted the training including sessions on effective communication, recognition of various values among <br />cultural, ethnic, racial, economically diverse groups, anger management and its physiological impacts, effective and <br />