CHAMPAIGN – City officials say they are ready to look at the results of a community discussion on the relationship between the police and citizens and do what they can to quell any tension.

About 260 community members – a diverse crowd of residents, police officers, educators and youths, among others – participated in a forum on Monday night to identify the next steps to rebuilding trust between the police department and those it polices.

"You've got to be able to talk about what's going on," said former Danville Police Chief Carl Alexander. "If you can't talk about what's going on, then you can't solve anything."

The discussion was organized following the October 2009 police shooting death of 15-year-old Kiwane Carrington. Monday night's forum began the discussion of how to move forward, said Joan Walls, assistant to the city manager for community relations.

Note-takers kept track of suggestions from individuals sitting in dozens of small groups, and many of the same themes appeared on the large tear sheets. Police and citizens need to develop a "mutual respect" was among the popular themes.

Other boards noted that "some people think police are out to get them" or there is a "history of heavy-handed policing."

Some participants suggested that there should be safe places for youths to gather and more opportunities for after-school programs. Others talked about racial issues and interaction between police officers and citizens of different backgrounds.

Human Relations Commission member Bill Glithero said he could feel a tension at the beginning of the event, but it cleared soon after participants started talking with each other. And there was no "spitting or name-calling or animosity," he said.

City officials will gather the data collected Monday and try to identify recurring themes, Walls said. From there, officials will evaluate what actions they can take.

"It really depends on what they (participants) came up with," City Manager Steve Carter said.

It may involve pulling in other agencies, such as school districts, to help develop some of the programs or policies that could result, Walls said.

And Carter said the city can use the suggestions to develop programs that could benefit from federal grant money. Because the suggestions come from a community discussion, a "genuine community interest" in the potential programs could make them more attractive to federal agencies looking to fund local projects.

Carter said one of the things he found impressive was the willingness of the community to participate.

"Just the fact that we have people sitting around the table talking about a sensitive issue," Carter said.

"It shows that we're moving in the right direction," Walls said.

State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson was floating among the discussions and listening at points.

"Pretty much I'm hearing some of the same things in different places," Jakobsson said.

While "this has started a good conversation," Jakobsson said, she would like to see the city continue the process with another one or two forums.

"This type of discussion often doesn't happen in our community," Carter told the crowd.

"While there are things we can do individually," Carter said, "it's working together that will result in the greatest community impact."