Can mayoral liaison help bridge Erie's divides?
ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Michael Outlaw's self-improvement journey was not sparked by one single epiphany.
There were several.
Outlaw earned two degrees in criminal justice as an adult while taking care of a wife and four children. He theorized the move would help improve his family's circumstances and give him a better understanding of the law enforcement officers he once viewed as adversaries.
He started attending public meetings about crime, poverty, police-community relations and other important topics years ago to learn more about the root causes of issues heavily affecting many of Erie's citizens.
Serving jail sentences at 18 and 19, following convictions on burglary and drug charges, hammered home the importance of choices.