CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A special town hall meeting scheduled to take place in Clearlake next week will explore ways to keep the community safe in the wake of a shooting earlier this month that left a little boy dead and several others wounded.

City and county residents are invited to the meeting, which will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, at the Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake.

Council member Jeri Spittler organized the meeting in an attempt to address community concerns about violence following the June 18 shooting incident.

Spittler said the community has been horrified by the shooting, and she suggested it's time to work together within the democratic system to create changes needed for the continuing safety of the city and county.

Representatives of local law enforcement agencies, the Board of Supervisors, the Konocti Unified School District, the Clearlake City Council and city of Clearlake staff, and the District Attorney's Office will be present to lead a discussion on the most effective ways to prevent violent crime and to keep neighborhoods safe for the peaceful enjoyment of law-abiding citizens and their families.

The town hall meeting will provide an opportunity for community members to meet elected and other local officials, learn how to collaborate to keep the community safe and find out how law enforcement works, according to Spittler.

Spitter said the guest list includes District Attorney Don Anderson; interim Clearlake Police Chief Craig Clausen; Lt. Greg Baarts, commander of the California Highway Patrol's Clear Lake office; Sheriff Frank Rivero; Lakeport Police Chief Brad Rasmussen and Sgt. Jason Ferguson; county Supervisor Rob Brown; and Spittler and her colleague on the Clearlake City Council, Judy Thein.

After opening remarks the group will divide into workshops focused on specific topics such as neighborhood watch and the functions of different law enforcement agencies, Spittler said.

After these roundtable discussions – which will last about 30 minutes – the public forum will resume, and workshop leaders will address the concerns expressed by the participants, she said.

Spittler said the town hall's format is modeled on seminars in which she has participated, and is meant to help foster a dialogue that can provide community members with answers while communicating their concerns to local officials.

Participants are urged to bring a notebook and all of their questions.

Spittler suggested that, by working together, county residents can find the positive solutions needed to reclaim the community and prevent crime.

“The change can start with us,” she said.

For more information e-mail Spittler at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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