Petaluma plans Latino town hall meeting

Petaluma police will host a Spanish-language town hall meeting this month to discuss several key issues effecting Latino residents including the new law that allows undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. March 26 at the St. Vincent’s Church refectory at Western Avenue and Howard Street.

Bilingual officers will explain the department’s policing model and take input about how to make improvements.

Also, officers will present crime trends, explain crime prevention information and discuss AB60, which became law Jan. 1 and authorizes driver’s licenses for people who are in the country illegally.

“We are here to serve you and we want to hear from the Latino community,” Chief Patrick Williams said in a written statement released Sunday. “Please come share your thoughts or concerns with us so we can better understand your needs.”

More information on Petaluma’s policing model can be found at www.cityofpetaluma.net/police/policing.html.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.