On Sept. 11, the Flint Police Department’s unit, Standing Against Predators and Pedophiles, Honoring Individual Rights and Empowering Survivors, hosted its first-ever Connecting for Change gala at the Flint Golf Club.
The event, funded by the Flint Police Department and Genesee Health System, featured a DJ, live band, food, drinks and community discussion on policing and sexual crime initiatives.
Mona Patterson, detective sergeant of criminal sexual conduct and creator of the S.A.P.P.H.I.R.E.S division, said events like these are held to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.
The Gala came after the annual S.A.P.P.H.I.R.E.S. Preventing Sex Assault Crimes & Empowering Survivors Conference, which was hosted Sep. 9 and 10, discussing ways to combat sexual violence.
The conference featured survivors sharing stories, advocacy, mental health of first responders, investigating and prosecuting sex crimes, information on trafficking, forensics, and policing strategies.
Julie Lopez, executive director for Crime Stoppers of Flint and Genesee County, said the gala celebrated S.A.P.P.H.I.R.E.S work.
“The last two days, the presenters gave powerful, inspiring stories, testimonials, information, and I feel like this event tonight is a celebration of all of the hard work for all of the years,” Lopez said.
Rylie Yeiter is a writer for the Michigan Times and can be reached at jasobii@umich.edu.
