LAKEPORT, Calif. – Beginning in December, the Lakeport Police Department will hold a series of town halls to update the community on its activities.

The first town hall will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, in the council chambers at Lakeport City Hall, 225 Park St.

The meeting is expected to last about an hour and a half, according to Sgt. Jason Ferguson, who be on hand to facilitate the meeting, along with interim Chief Brad Rasmussen.

Ferguson said the topic of the first meeting will be the police department's community-oriented policing strategy and what it's doing it develop a a better relationship with the public.

He said the department's community policing approach includes its school resource officer program at Lakeport Unified School District.

Future town halls – the dates and time of which will be announced closer to the time, Ferguson said – will address other topics, including updates on the Barbara LaForge homicide case.

As part of the requirements for a grant the department received to cover one of its officer positions, it must conduct a public education effort, Ferguson said.

He said the department decided to do town halls, which haven't been done in the 12 years Ferguson has been with the agency.

The department encourages community members to attend, he said.

Ferguson said they plan to hold question and answer sessions at the end of the presentations.

For more information contact Ferguson at the Lakeport Police Department, 707-263-5491.

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