Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub, head Public Defender Claudia Bautista and the county's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Phin Xaypangna, will be among the speakers at an online Community Forum titled Public Safety and Local Police Reform on Thursday, May 19 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

Also participating will be Vanessa Valdez, President of the Ventura County Latinx Bar Association. The forum will be moderated by Cynthia Salas, President of the Santa Paula Latino Town Hall.

The forum will serve as a progress report on actions that the county has taken to enhance public safety and racial equity in its workforce, programs and services, focusing on local police reforms, and what more might be needed.

Last year, the county established the Public Safety Racial Equity Advisory Group. Xaypangna will report on the formation and mission of that group, and Public Defender Bautista, who is the advisory group's co-chair, will speak about its progress and future plans.

Sheriff Ayub will discuss local police reform efforts and Valdez will talk about experiences and perceptions from the community. Spanish interpretation of the program will be available.

Links in English and Spanish to register for the online forum are available at forum.chaliceuu.org. The forum, a program of Chalice Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Conejo Valley, is free; donations are welcome to support future events.

For information, visit the Community Forum website or contact Randall Edwards via e-mail at forum@chaliceuu.org or by phone through the church office at (805) 498-9548.