Police

Shop Talk

Shop talk – honest conversations for a stronger Irving.

Shop Talk is a community outreach program designed for residents who might not typically attend traditional town halls but still want their voices heard. To facilitate open dialogue, the Irving Police Department has established a barbershop outreach initiative, creating an environment where community members feel comfortable discussing important issues with police officers.

The program was conceived following the Dallas Police shooting in July 2016, when Officer Jon Plunkett recognized that the department’s relationship with minority communities needed strengthening. He observed that a segment of the community was not being reached by existing outreach efforts. With the support of local barbershop owners and approval from Chief Spivey, Officer Plunkett helped launch this initiative. Now, patrons of these barbershops have access to officers in a relaxed setting, where difficult conversations can occur more naturally.

Since its inception, the Shop Talk program has grown to include over thirty participating barber and beauty shops. Sgt. Black and two shop owners have been recognized by the Irving-Carrollton NAACP for their leadership in starting and supporting the program. In addition, Shop Talk has partnered with One Community USA with plans to expand the program beyond Irving and offer scholarships to barbershops and salons in neighboring cities.

This initiative underscores the Irving Police Department’s commitment to engaging all community members, fostering open communication, and building trust to enhance public safety.

For more information on One Community USA please visit: https://www.onecommunityusa.org/

NBC 5 story on Shop Talk and One Community: https://youtu.be/PHXE920p1qk

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