It is being called one of the most important documents in Cincinnati's history — and 5,000 copies of it are now hitting the streets.

        It is being passed on by police officers and activists, by blacks and whites, through churches, schools, libraries and businesses.

        The first communitywide effort to educate residents about Cincinnati's landmark agreements to end a racial profiling lawsuit and a Department of Justice probe of the police department began in earnest this week.

        “We ran out of brochures,” said Jay Rothman, president of Aria Group, who mediated the settlements. “All 5,000 copies went out the door.”

        At a meeting Wednesday night, Mr. Rothman said several pledges were made to deliver copies and help residents understand the settlement. What started out slowly has gained momentum as people began volunteering.

        “The head of community oriented policing (Lt. Larry Powell) took 1,000 copies,” Mr. Rothman said. “He is going to give them to officers to pass out in neighborhoods.”

        The settlements outline sweeping changes to the police department and create a new system of community-police relations by tracking problems with locations, repeat suspects and repeat complaints. The changes will be overseen by an independent monitor for the next five years.

        But reading the settlement is just the first step, said Dot Christenson of First Unitarian Church in Avondale.

        “We want to help people understand what is in it,” she said. “It is a wonderful opportunity for the whole community. We need to pay attention.”

        The church, at 536 Linton St., at Reading Road, has already announced a “teach in” on June 13. The 7:30 p.m. meeting will feature speakers from the city and others involved in the settlements, who will attempt to answer questions.

        Last week, plaintiffs in the racial profiling lawsuit — along with city officials, the police union and the Department of Justice — began a national search to hire the independent monitor to oversee the settlement provisions.

        U.S. District Court Judge Susan Dlott is scheduled to hold a hearing on the agreement, and could approve it, on June 6.

        Though the agreement has not been officially approved, Mr. Rothman said it is important for the community to buy into it and begin to work toward change.

        Another 5,000 brochures have already been printed and are available at Christ Church, 318 E. Fourth St., downtown.

        “They are going to go pretty fast,” Mr. Rothman said.

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