Police-Gang Violence in Anaheim and Interest Based Negotiation

The recent events that have taken place in Anaheim, CA has been truly mind boggling. The main issue at hand has been the Latino community in the Southern part of Orange County vs. the local police. So what is the issue? The issue from a Latino perspective is that the police have been racially profiling against Latino children in low poverty neighborhoods. The police and other local citizens perceive that violence has increased due to gang violence. Therefore, the police are doing their jobs by "randomly conducting traffic stops". The Latinos are stating that their kids are being mistreated and shot at by the police with rubber and real bullets. This further results in an increased violence.

The back and forth between the police and the gangs has truly resulted in an increase in violence and deaths between the two groups. This is also called inter-group conflict. Another issue at hand is that the Latino community, who may have children in gangs are defending their rights, which some extent are being crossed based on police duty. The police are protected by the legal system. The Latinos claim they do not have real legal representation. Specifically, the local City Council will not allow a Hispanic representative to become elected from their community. It is very difficult to determine the truth. However, determining the truth should be the least of our concerns. The main concern is find a solution to stop the violence.

Picture Source: NBC News

In order to deter the conflict, which has now spun out of control and has resulted to violence is to use interest-based negotiation. This type of conflict resolution has been designed to make parties realize that they must move from their current positions, and seek a resolution to best meet their interests. The only way this can happen is to first teach each group the techniques of interest-based negotiations. The second is help each party come to a realization of what their true interests are and how they want to resolve the conflict. Therefore, the parties must come together in 1 room to collaborate, get them engaged in the training and help create a resolution. This will not be a one time meeting. Meetings will have to occur regularly in order for the technique to be effective.

Group Whynot currently conducts interest-based negotiation trainings, and practices. Contact us today: info@groupwhynot.com or call us at 786-529-8513. 

Posted on behalf of Group Whynot.