Local Mediator Teaches Community How To Win Without Fighting



As a former police officer, Tristan Loo, knew that there had to be a better way to address local community conflict. Too often did he have to respond to the same disputants time-after-time without any recourse but to explain to them that it was a civil matter and that they would have to take it up in court. Loo felt frustrated that angry individuals were using the police as their personal harassment tool, taking valuable service time away from higher-priority calls for police service.

"Everyone is entitled to public safety services. There is no argument there. It's when people abuse that privilege and take those services away from the people who really need it. That's where I have a problem."

Through his research and experience, Loo realized that conflict could not be fully resolved without addressing the inner emotions and needs that are driving the conflict to begin with. Traditional litigation may address the problem, but rarely does it address the underlying needs behind that problem. The answer to this was mediation 8212;the process by which two disputing parties discuss their situation with a neutral third-party who doesn't make the decisions for them, but rather helps both parties reach a solution for themselves. Surprisingly, Loo only found a few centers that offered mediation services to the community. Admittedly, even as a police officer, Loo was unaware that community mediation existed. Loo set out on a mission to spread the word about the power of mediation, and as a result, Alternative Conflict Resolution Services was born.

"As founder of Alternative Conflict Resolution Services, it's my goal to help people win without fighting by empowering them with the ability to handle their own conflicts responsibility with the aid of a neutral third-party mediator. Too often in a conflict we become locked into a battle over right versus wrong; demand versus demand; or winner versus loser and the main objective is lost in the flurry of emotion. My job is separate the people from the problem so that they can focus on the solution."

Loo, a former champion martial arts fighter, likens conflict to that of martial arts principles. "Force against force relies solely on strength and accomplishes very little. Now, if you step to their side and avoid their attack, then not only do you save yourself from injury, but now you also have their energy to use against the real enemy 8212;the problem that you both are faced with."

Alternative Conflict Resolution Services can be reached at (866) 578-9653





Local Mediator Teaches Community How To Win Without Fighting