'Unidos' we stand: Arlington police and their outreach to the Hispanic community

The Arlington Police Department will hold its quarterly Unidos meeting on Wednesday, March 21, to continue building a relationship with the city's Hispanic community.

The department's crime prevention unit started the program in 2013 to assist Spanish-speaking residents. According to American Community Survey Demographic and Housing Estimates from 2016, Hispanics make up 28.7 percent of Arlington's population.

"Having a program like this shows the Hispanic community that we, as a Police Department, are here to work with them and to be there for them," said Marisa Sandham, a crime prevention officer in the department's east district, said. "Programs like Unidos help show them that there is no reason to be afraid, and that we are here to partner with them and participate in their community."

Not all meetings are related to law enforcement and police issues. Past Unidos meetings have provided attendees with information and resources about topics of concern or confusion, including Senate Bill 4.

Wednesday's meeting will feature a presentation by Wes Young, literacy coordinator for the Arlington Public Library, about the services the library offers, from English classes to GED prep.

The Hispanic Real Estate Brokers Association will also present information on the new tax laws, as well as general information on taxes and tax season.

"Creative partnerships like the one with the Arlington Police Department is something we seek out because we’re always looking for ways to spread the word about what resources the library can offer the community," Young said.

Unidos

*7 p.m. Wednesday

*2101 Browning Drive, Arlington

This story was originally published March 20, 2018 at 4:34 PM with the headline "'Unidos' we stand: Arlington police and their outreach to the Hispanic community."