Staff report 

The city of Kyle is teaming up with members of the community for an event they believe can generate an open dialogue between Hays CISD students and local law enforcement officers. 

Organizers of Blended Voices Across Lehman say they want to work with local police on being proactive and continuing to promote positive relationships with students and the community.

“Communication, respect and trust are essential ingredients to building meaningful and lasting relationships,” Sheila Henderson, a parent of a Lehman student and one of the main event organizers, said.

Blended Voices will bring together students and law enforcement officers in a conversation regarding safety and other concerns. Henderson said this event would allow students to meet officers face-to-face and see them in a positive setting. It’s also a chance for students to ask questions and have a better understanding of police-community relations.

“We welcome the opportunity to have open and frank discussion with students,” Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said. “This will help break down barriers and stereotypes, allowing students and officers to engage in proactive dialog.”

Barnett said he welcomes students to ask questions of the officers and to answer questions from law enforcement.

“Our goal is to ensure these students understand that our police are here to help,” he said. “We want them to know that many of our officers live in this community and have students at our schools. KPD officers want to have positive interactions with Kyle residents.”

 Kyle Council Member Daphne Tenorio, who also has a student at Lehman, said the event would create a “foundation of trust, respect and community.”

Blended Voices Across Lehman takes place at noon on Aug. 4 in the Lehman High School gym. Students from other Hays CISD campuses are welcome to join the event. Questions to law enforcement can be asked anonymously.

For more information, contact Chief Barnett at 512-268-0859 or Daphne Tenorio at daphne@tenoriofamily.org.