LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Little Rock Public Safety Commission held its first meeting Thursday night.
The commission is part of Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s initiative to reduce violence in the city after it skyrocketed during the pandemic.
The Little Rock Board of Directors approved the commission in October 2023. The commission currently has three open positions. The Public Safety Commission comprises city leaders and residents who want to make a difference, like Kambrei Charles.
"I came from having a felony background and to turn my life around once I noticed that the mistakes I made will hold me to be a good person," Charles said.
Charles joined the reentry program and is now working with Restore Hope. He wants to give people a voice and get them interested in local government.
"Individuals... to cast their vote," Charles said. "Not just at the polls, but we could send out blast emails to the Pulaski County residents."
Former Little Rock police officers Willie Davis and Johnny Gilbert were elected to chair positions on the commission.
Davis and Gilbert sued the City of Little Rock in 2018 for discrimination, ending in a $200,000 settlement.
The commission's goal is to make recommendations to the city board, which will decide whether or not to approve them.