City of Bloomington, Indiana City Council, 26 Aug 2020

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From YouTube: Bloomington City Council Public Safety Committee, August 26, 2020

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meeting agenda: https://bloomington.in.gov/onboard/meetingFiles/download?meetingFile_id=7499

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Good evening, everyone I'm saying that we have a quorum. We will begin.

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Meeting this evening, this is the meeting of the bloomington city council's public.

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Safety committee today's date is august 26.

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2020 and it is scheduled from 6 p.m, to 8 p.m.

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um Before we go any further I'd like to acknowledge members of the.

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Public safety committee as council members, isabelle piedmont, smith.

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Council member sue, scandaluri councilmember susan sandberg.

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And I'd also and with myself. But I'd also like to recognize and.

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Welcome chief decoff and most importantly, members of the.

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Public that have chosen to tune in with us this evening.

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Now the announcement for the procedure for the committee questions public.

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Comment and committee comment for tonight's agenda is, as.

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Follows during the course of the meeting and when not actively making a comment, members of the public will have both.

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Audio and video disabled at the start of the meeting of.

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The committee at the start of the meeting the committee will have up to 40 minutes to ask questions or make initial.

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Comments when the chair calls for public comment.

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Members of the public will be allowed to make one our minute and actually we'll decide how long public comment.

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Will be depending on how many people we estimate that are waiting to speak um in the past. It's been approximately.

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Two minutes um and we'll deal with that with public.

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Comment when we come to that point and public.

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Comment will last up to one hour.

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The public portion public comment portion of the meeting will proceed as.

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Follows members of the public wishing to speak from the pub speak during the public comments? She.

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Used the raised hand featuring zoom or indicate their desire by.

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Comp to comment by sending a chat to the meeting host.

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Please leave your hand raised until the clerk or the meeting host calls on you.

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To comment the meeting host will explain how to.

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Access the raise and hand feature when a member of the public is called.

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Upon to speak, the clerk or the meeting holds when it enable audio. Only during that individual's comment.

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Then disable audio when the comment is over.

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Speakers should state their name for the record.

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After public comment, the committee will have up to 20 minutes for additional.

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Questions or final comments.

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Okay, um before we get started um committee members.

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We hadn't discussed a uh procedure for presenting questions.

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For answer from chief decoff, do we have any suggestions.

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um Just go around committee members, one at a time.

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Yes, go ahead: council members kembler. Thank you.

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We do have questions, do. Did we want to do chief geekoff? Did you want to offer.

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Comments to begin with and then we'll follow up on that or or should we just jump into question.

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I I can make an opening statement. If you want, I mean I.

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Is that what you mean yeah? That was my question, but I've.

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Heard of the chair on.

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Well, no, I think that was fine. I was trying to get format on how we asked him.

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Questions um I had a little bit to finish up with before we actually got started in the media. No you're, fine.

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You're fine um and thank you, council members can blurry.

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um What I want to say to the public this evening, just before we get started.

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This is the second meeting of the public safety standing committee.

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We also had a very long session on last tuesday during.

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City budget presentations, when we listened to the bpd.

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Budget presentation and we had extended public comment.

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um At that time, the whole purpose of that.

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In particular, for this committee is to receive.

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uh Information and comments um from the public.

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um At our closing comments, our final comments.

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I will have a few words more words to say.

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Regarding next steps as we move forward, but these.

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Gatherings or these previous meetings, the whole intent has been to receive as.

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Much information from the public and again we thank you all for.

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Participating um before we get started chief decoff, if.

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You'd like to make an opening statement sure thank you very much. You know I.

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Always welcome the opportunity to talk about.

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uh The the police department and the men and women that serve this community on a.

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Daily basis, we have a very dedicated group of.

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Individuals that work very hard every day to make sure that.

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We police in a very open manner and that we.

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That we police and a very ethical manner. There are things that happen every day.

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Around the country that that uh uh tarnish that.

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uh That to tarnish our profession, um you know we.

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Again, just had another a police shooting that.

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um uh Again calls into question the the.

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Actions of police officers on a daily basis, um the bloomington police department has been very open and transparent. We.

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We uh post more data sets than than most police departments around the.

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Country, do we are kalia certified and we have excellent training that our.

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Officers go through again, as I stated, I'm always happy to.

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Talk about what we do, but I do have one comment that I would.

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Like to make you know, we for many many years have.

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Offered a citizens police academy which gives.

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The citizens of bloomington the opportunity.

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To come to a program that is 11 weeks long that.

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Really delves into what we do as police officers here.

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In bloomington, um historically, it's had very.

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Little interest um so again, it's we're unable to do it. This.

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Year, because of coven, but I would encourage the community to look for that.

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In in the future and attend that, because it goes into a lot more depth than we're going to be able to do.

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Tonight it's 11 weeks and so there's a lot of.

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Information that's covered, but I would also want to point out that as city council members, you also should.

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Understand what the police department does and.

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Anytime that you would like to ride, you can.

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Anytime that you would like to attend any training you can very few of you have taken me up on that.

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Now, conversely, I have done your job. I was on the city.

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Council, as an elected member for nine years, so I understand the pressures I understand.

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um The concerns that you get from the community what I would say to you, though,.

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Is you should do yourself a favor and learn more about the police department that the budget you vote on, because we have a very well-trained professional department that I think that a lot of people just don't.

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Understand what we do on a day-to-day basis, so I would kind of issue a challenge to you that you take more of an interest.

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And you learn more about what the police department does, so that you're able to talk more about it and have a better understanding.

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So thank you for my my chance to have comments at the opening of this.

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Thank you very much um and before we go further I'd like to offer our committee.

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Members um about a minute, if they'd like to have an opening statement or comment councilmember.

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No statement at this time I'm prepared to listen. Thank you.

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Thank you, council members can blurry no.

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Thank you, councilmember piedmont, smith, yeah, just um to briefly respond to.

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What chief decoff said? That's why we're here I mean that's part of why we're.

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Doing this is to learn more so uh we'll get to it.

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Okay, thank you before we get into questions um committee members.

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Before we, um we just about got started into a.

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Format on how we want to address questions.

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um And we submitted our own questions um or have our list of questions. And if.

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We'd like to do more of a round-robin um format, if you think that's okay,.

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Sounds good councilmember sandberg um those questions that had already been.

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Submitted were very uh comprehensively answered in.

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Writing um is that going to be available as a public document for those that are here in this this room or.

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For us in general, before we get going and we've got some great information.

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Already, I think well, I know it is available and.

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um Our um attorney administrator has a copy.

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Of that, um mr lucas, how do we plan to handle.

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That, uh yes, I I got that uh shortly before.

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The meeting uh chief decoff was kind enough to share that document and I can make that available publicly on uh on the.

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Council's website, so that folks can see that I may be able.

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To do that, while the meeting's progressing, but uh certainly uh after the meeting that will be available.

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Okay, thank you very much um and they will be available.

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And some of these questions and answers um were pretty exhausted, I'm not so sure.

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We'll be able to get to all them in totality in our 40-minute slot, um so.

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They will be available in totality how they were asked and how.

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They were um answered so thank you. Councilmember.

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Sandberg for that um council member scandillary, would you.

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Like to get started, please, um yes, thank you. I think chief.

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Cop one of the things you talked about um in your opening comments.

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Was the training that our officers undergo and.

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I I would just like to start, I appreciate what you've provided in writing, but can you talk more um about that and.

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How that has evolved over time, um particularly as bloomington, has.

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Changed over time sure so the indiana law.

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Enforcement academy requires that police officers in indiana.

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Get 24 hours of continuing education every year.

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There's there's certain core classes that they require.

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But then it's up to the individual departments to.

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um Add to that training on areas that they want to train on so.

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um We have, we have chosen um to uh to expand.

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That initial 24 hours and on average our employees receive around 90 to 100.

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Hours of training a year.

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Which is, is a substantial amount? um Some of the key.

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uh Elements that we focus on because we deal every day with.

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With people who experience these types of things, our mental health training.

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um And I'm going to refer to notes so that I get the correct.

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Agency, so if I'm looking down- and you just see the top of my head- that's why.

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um But mental health first aid which is put on by the.

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National council for behavioral health programs, crisis intervention.

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Team training, which is put on by the national alliance on mental illness.

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Nami we do a lot of use of force training. We do a lot of defensive.

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Tactics training. We do a lot of de-escalation training. All of our.

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Operational type, training such as driving firearms.

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Defensive tactics, they all have de-escalation training built into them.

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So so that we don't have to um necessarily.

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Rely on that training, it's more! How to do that! Training and.

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De-Escalate that situation, while you're, while you're potentially doing that.

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Training again, anti-bias training, implicit bias, training. Those are all.

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Trainings that we have actually ramped up over the last couple of years.

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Unfortunately, this year has been very different because of covid.

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We're required to do a lot more online training.

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But it's uh some of the questions that have been asked.

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Previously and some that you submitted asked about who does that training.

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Well, we actually do send officers to um different trainings that.

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They become trainers in that topic. Some of those are de-escalations. Some of.

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Those are anti-bias trainings, but we also seek.

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Individuals from outside the law enforcement world that also.

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Participate and do that training for us. We rely on middleweight to do a lot of.

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Our domestic violence, training we've relied on indiana university.

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Professors to do training we just recently.

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um Had uh training done in lgbtq issues by an iu professor who, who trained all.

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The officers in the department center stone does a lot of.

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Mental health training, with our with our officers, um our own social worker, who is.

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Who is a uh a trainer also does some of that training for our.

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People so we're always looking for um different.

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Perspectives on training, um there's only so many ways.

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To teach a certain topic, and so each year.

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We we will um look at previous trainings.

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And what was taught and look for new programming to see.

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um What keeps it fresh, you know the one thing.

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With some of the state training, is it's the same stuff every year.

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um And there's in some of those topics, there's not much that you can change.

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But um again you get it year after year and it becomes quite repetitive.

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um Some of the more more hot button topic- training issues.

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We try to get different perspectives on those, so.

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um We have a full-time training officer that is always.

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Evaluating new training programs always making sure that we meet our state.

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Mandated requirements and training- and that is that is somebody that will.

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Continue to look at different options on training that our officers can do. The.

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One thing that we must we have to keep in mind or I have to.

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Keep in mind as the police chief is, this training must meet the requirements and the standards of the indiana law enforcement.

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Training board, who those are the people, that's that.

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Certified police officers in the state of indiana so that training has to meet.

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Their standards and pass their requirements for being.

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Training that is, is uh worthy and being taught.

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To our officers, okay, thank you.

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um If it's okay I'll go next, then we'll come to you. Councilman p, mosman.

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I'm chief, um there are some in the public who view.

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Or as part of the public debate debate on the militarization.

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Of the bloomington police department, including how our.

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Cert critical incident response team members.

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And the armored vehicle may impact this assertion.

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um Can you address that please, so the militarization excuse me of police.

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Is you know I I when I, when I hear that talked about.

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When I look at that, um you know I think you've got to get. I think you have to.

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Get back to um actions and not equipment. A lot of.

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People talk about um the armored rescue vehicle being a.

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Militarized piece of equipment: well, it's not it's a civilian model.

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That has been sold to the military, but it is not a militarized.

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Vehicle and again there there are, you know: people referring to the police.

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Being a paramilitary organization, um we are not the military, we do.

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We do not have the same type of training that the military has.

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We cannot engage in the same type of behaviors that the military can.

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So we are, we are not militarized, um you know and for instance, a good example.

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That, when we were talking about this earlier today is, is uh the boots that police officers wear when when we first started.

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My very first pair of of work shoes were were army boots because they made them.

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And that's there weren't really very many other companies, just because I wore.

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Military boots doesn't didn't mean I I had.

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Military attitudes, so I really think that focusing on the actions of.

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A department versus just you know the the the equipment that they might have.

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Is really how this should be done? Because um you know.

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Again, getting back to the armored rescue vehicle, it was talked a lot about.

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um You know uh how it was used in other communities.

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We've never used it like that, and so um you know we have a a long.

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Standard um of involve of engaging in community policing, you.

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Know we try to be very open about what we do and um answer those types of questions and and.

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Come up with a a variety of programs that um are community-based solutions to.

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Things and so um again the military that military.

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Militarization you know, I always look at that. As you know, people with this.

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Warrior mindset and that's that's not what we train. That's not what.

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We do we have more of the guardian and I think that's evident in a lot of the.

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Programs that we do, we were the first agency in the state to.

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Have a police social worker we had, we started our downtown resource.

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Officer program to deal with people who had homelessness issues, substance use issues so that.

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We weren't constantly arresting people, and so again I I.

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I think you really have to look at the actions and not.

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Equipment when you talk about that and we we.

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Don't use any of of that and we don't have those.

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Attitudes of this warrior mentality when we go out and do things.

B

Thank you very much, councilmember piedmont, smith. Yes, um I wanted to.

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uh This is a good segue to my question. Actually.

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um I wanted to ask more about the civil disturbance unit within bpd.

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And what kind of crowd control measures are used and what.

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Kind of less than lethal uh sort of measures.

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Are authorized by bpd and when would they be used.

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So our our cdu unit is is really an events management group.

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Their primary focus is safely facilitating.

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The event whether it's a demonstration, a protest or celebration.

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So that no one gets hurt, property doesn't get damaged and the.

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Event can can go off without any kinds of problems.

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That group of officers has um significant training in event.

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Security and trauma, medicine um and and.

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Other skills that um uh such as active shooter mitigation, so it's it's.

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Really not a a proactive uh what you might call.

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Riot squad, because we don't have there's not enough of them to do that,.

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um That would require we put all of our officers out and probably rely on other.

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Agencies to to assist, if we had what you might consider a right, um but.

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They're they're- really um it's really set up so that they can.

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Deal with crowd management and events.

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uh And they're trained a little bit more than just the normal officer.

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Because if we have some kind of major disturbance, it's going to require.

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All of our people to work, because this, the civil disturbance unit is just not.

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Big enough, it's probably not a good name for that unit, but that's what it has evolved into, and so you asked about some of the.

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Equipment they're, all they all have all of our officers, have.

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um Gear, shin guards and um helmets and things to to to protect them.

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In case there would be some kind of major disturbance where projectiles were being thrown or whatever.

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um So that's that's kind of what was the rest of your question. I'm sorry.

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The um so-called less than lethal, pepper balls, tear gas sponge rounds.

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Can you describe when those would be used sure so.

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um We don't use pepper ball much anymore, because.

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um The the the pepper ball guns themselves are.

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Aging and so they're, we probably only have a few left.

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That are actually in operating condition. We do have less lethal guns that we use.

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That are convert converted, shotguns, that fire.

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uh Beanbag rounds or sponge rams and those those are used.

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um Those are actually carried by patrol officers because.

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uh They encounter situations all the time where.

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They might need access to that type of of a of a weapon quickly um and.

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And situations that those are used in would be.

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um Someone maybe, with a knife, threatening suicide.

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Some kind of weapon- that's not a gun um that that they could impact that person.

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To get them to drop that thing, that's not really the the.

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Civil disturbance union would have access to that, but that's not something that would be appropriate to use in a riot type situation.

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um uh We do have uh the availability to use tear gas, but that.

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Again, that would be used in a situation that would require.

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My approval, we only have a few trained officers who know how to.

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To deploy that and it would be used in a situation that was.

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um Probably a situation where there was a mass destruction of property fires.

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People throwing things just what you would consider a riot type situation. It.

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Would not be appropriate at all to use any of those.

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Measures in any kind of peaceful protest or anything like that.

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And is the tear gas I mean? Is I hate to put it this way, but is it.

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Legal, I mean there's some tear gas. That is not, it is legal. You know into international law, says you cannot use certain types on.

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Civilians, yeah that this is this is uh totally.

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Legal uh cs gas that is is used commonly throughout the united.

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States by by uh police departments.

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Okay, are you finished council members, speed muscle? Yes,.

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Okay, thank you, council member sandberg. Thank you.

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uh Chief d cough with respect to current events.

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And with the training that your officers have been receiving and are receiving.

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The headlines across the nation are sparking protests that are absolutely.

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Justified the incidents that are happening.

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Elsewhere across the country that are targeting.

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Black individuals are heinous and I want to know what kind of reaction.

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Are your officers expressing about that? I mean when you're talking about.

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De-Escalation, training and being a guardian mindset and not a warrior.

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Mindset, what specifically, are your officers.

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Saying about how do we prevent anything like.

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That from happening on their watch, can you.

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Provide any um assurance that this is front of mind.

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Of your department, well, you know, being a police officer in this country.

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Today, you can't help but see what's going on. I know that.

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I I know every police officer that I've talked to.

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um Not only in this department but around the state talk about how horrific.

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These these uh killings- are, um you know, it's it's. It's.

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We police officers take these oaths to serve and protect people.

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um They don't want to hurt anyone, let alone kill anyone, and so seeing that.

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Happening around the country, um the members of this agency.

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And other police officers around the state that I've talked to are just.

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In total disbelief that it continues to happen.

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And again I don't know all the intricate details of each individual.

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uh Case you know, I see the same thing that everybody else sees on television.

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And so um you know they talk a lot about it.

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But some of the stuff that we do um with.

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Regards to training and um some of the.

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The uh this, the uh programs that we have started, um you.

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Know hopefully, uh you know.

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Lessen the chance and the likelihood that that could happen.

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I'm not saying that a tragic event couldn't happen here.

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Because it could, but we work really hard and we train.

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Our officers really hard and we review situations all the time, their actions.

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So that um we can, we can try to lessen the chance and prevent those types of.

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Tragic things from happening here, um you know it's.

D

Again, I I don't know all of the details about all these different things that.

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Have happened around the country, but um I I can tell you that our officers.

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Get really good training they get. um We have tools like less lethal options.

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That they can use so that they don't necessarily have to.

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Go immediately to to using a firearm to to stop a.

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Situation so um again that you know it's.

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It's disheartening that that um that these events still happen.

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And again, it does weigh very heavy on on um all of us at bpd that these things.

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Happen um and, and my hope is, that we can come.

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Through all of this discussion and through all of the change.

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That um things are bad, things are less likely to happen in the future.

E

Thank you I'll have some follow-ups, but since we're just going around robin.

E

I will pass thank you. Thank you, council member scan blurry. Yes,.

C

Thank you. um I wander with me on this question for a.

C

Second, because I need you to help me connect some dots in my head. um I appreciate what you've shared about training.

C

And am I understanding correctly that if one of our sworn officers.

C

Is in training for whatever subject he is he or she is not working, correct.

C

So they're not going to.

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To accomplish the number of hours of training we do, we will sometimes do.

D

Training on duty, when they're working, okay, um so some does occur, while they're.

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Working some doesn't okay, and my ultimate question is.

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We we want to emphasize training, we want law enforcement officers to be the best.

C

Training they possibly can yet. I also know that that impacts.

C

Staffing too, um sometimes when they're training they're not, it seems to me they're not available to use gaps.

C

And yet they're not available to be out, and yet one of our key questions.

C

In budget is about staffing and cutting sworn officers, so I'm trying to think.

C

Through the connection between those fears that make sense that.

C

Was kind of no, I I think I know what you're asking it is a.

D

Fine line about how much training we do because it does impact staffing levels.

D

um And so uh it's it's it's! It's.

D

I believe it's very important that we have a well-trained police department, so.

D

That's why we do as much training as we do having the.

D

Ability to have our own trainers on staff, though, does.

D

Help because we can do that training while.

D

They're working um if we would have to send people out.

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To outside places to train that would be a much bigger burden on.

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Staffing, um if we could only send officers to.

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Training when we brought somebody in which they typically work a normal.

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Business day so eight to five, um you know so.

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Having the ability to have our own trainers in-house.

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We can do training on night shift without altering their schedules.

D

And while their training is something, if something happens, that needs.

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Those officers they can leave training and go to those calls.

D

So yes, the more we train, the more that does.

D

Impact staffing levels so um but again it's it's a it's a trade-off.

D

You know we we pride ourselves and that's that's.

D

Actually, a recruiting tool that we use is the amount of training that we we.

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Provide to our officers, so um I understand what you're saying we do.

D

Watch it and it's a fine line, but I'm not at this point uh willing to.

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Lessen the amount of training um so that it it frees up more staffing.

C

Well- and I know, and I would want to see us be somewhat.

C

Uncompromising in the amount and quality of training we do, but I also know that.

C

We have to stop what we do so. Thank you. That's helpful.

B

Okay, thank you. um Captain d cough my I'm sorry, chief d cop. I was years ago.

B

Sorry about that, um my question have had to do with.

B

As part of budget hearings or presentations, um there's a proposal to.

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Increase our non-badged staff.

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Specifically, social workers at nro's, neighborhood resource officers.

B

Buy two: each um that'll bring you a total.

B

Of three and six three and four three and four okay.

B

Thank you, but my question is: how would this increase.

B

Impact the current bloomington police department, organizational planning.

B

Considering responding to non-violent calls.

B

um First, question of that part: would they be available and call for 24.

B

7., so no, we would not have um them available. 24 7., however,.

D

It is something that, with our social workers, probably what we will do.

D

Is um institute maybe some kind of on-call um schedule so that.

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um If night shift has something in the middle of the night and they need.

D

uh The services of one of those individuals that they they would be able to call them um again. We we have we've looked at.

D

Different um ways to implement these, these.

D

um Additional people, uh one of the conversations that I've had with the.

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Mayor about the neighborhood resource specialists is probably we're looking at changing the.

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Name of that group, because with us losing.

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Parking enforcement which responded to some minor stuff for us.

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We might try to make a hybrid of what those parking enforcement people did for.

D

Us and our neighborhood resource specialist did for us and combine them into kind of a new, a new unit.

D

That would be able to respond to more minor stuff that we encounter.

D

um But right now the way that we have the neighborhood resource specialist.

D

Program set up- it's not real conducive to doing that.

D

And so um that's that's kind of how we're.

D

Looking at it, but um I don't know if your next question is.

D

What they might respond to so I'll go ahead and answer that anyway,.

D

um So well, if it's okay with you, um I think we're getting close to our end.

B

Of our time, not yet there yet um so I'll defer on that and um and pass.

B

It on to council member piedmont smith. Thank you. Yes,.

F

Thank you, um chief dekov. Do you think that there is systemic.

F

Racism in law enforcement in this country, and what can we do about it? um You know, I think that.

D

That there have been areas of racism in law enforcement.

D

I can speak to our agency. I do not believe.

D

That there is uh systemic racism in our agency.

D

um I believe that um we have a very.

D

Forward-Thinking department, I I believe our officers.

D

um uh Don't have racist thoughts, don't.

D

Participate in racist activities um and so.

D

um Again, I can't speak for other agencies because I'm not familiar with.

D

With what they do, but um I know that that there have been.

D

uh In past years, uh police departments that have been racist.

D

You know, and I'm sure there are people that prior to me being.

D

On the police department would say that bloomington pd was racist too.

D

And again that may be, but I wasn't there then, and I don't know what they did then.

D

But I can tell you now that I don't believe that that it occurs.

D

In the bloomington police department, but uh it it does occur elsewhere, so.

F

Just as an as an overall institution, the police.

F

You're saying that there there is some of that in the united states and and so.

F

My next question as a long-time professional.

F

uh Police officer and chief, what can we do about it.

D

So I can tell you some steps that I've taken as the police chief here.

D

On a statewide level, so we reached out probably two years ago I've been active.

D

In the indiana association of chiefs of police and we reached out.

D

A couple years ago to the naacp and to the.

D

Aclu to work to see how we could partner and work together.

D

To address some of those issues that you talk about.

D

And so we've been having meetings the last couple of years.

D

On working on those things um and it's it's.

D

What's been beneficial is because we started that.

D

Before this most recent um incident with george floyd, the killing of george floyd.

D

That made things much easier when we picked up the phone and said: let's get.

D

Together and talk, and so we've been doing- that in fact.

D

I pushed that we, we kind of come up with a.

D

A uh principles of understanding document that.

D

um Hasn't been finalized, but we were in the.

D

We were had been working on it when, uh when.

D

The george floyd killing happened, and so um I'm hopeful that we will continue.

D

Those conversations the ultimate goal with that was to also.

D

Go around the state to the different naacp chapters and have.

D

Those conversations with the local chapters- you know we.

D

Started at the state level, um but again it's it's. What happens in.

D

The local communities, I think, impacts people a lot more than at the.

D

State level, and so um again I I kind of pushed some of that.

D

um There has been buy-in from chiefs around the state to continue doing that and we've met numerous times. So that's that's an example of something that we're trying.

D

To work at a statewide level to impact all agencies in indiana, I've.

D

Also been very active with the international chiefs of police.

D

On on hate crimes and.

D

Teaching of of teaching agencies, you know the appropriate way to.

D

To release statistics on hate crimes, um we're one of the few agencies in indiana.

D

That does that, um but again it's it's it's I I think.

D

It's really important that we we have these conversations and talk.

D

About these things, because if we don't, if we can't communicate and.

D

Work through these we're never going to be able to change anything.

F

Thank you, okay! Thank you, council member smith. Thank you.

B

Chief decal council, member sandberg and and before you get just before you.

B

Get started um we're approaching our time, so I think you will be the.

B

Last question um and then I'll have a statement right after that.

B

Question and answer very good. Thank you. I want to stay on this theme because.

E

Again, we are the public safety committee and as a council and as a community.

E

We do not want to see the same headlines that we see elsewhere.

E

Even begin to appear in this community so again.

E

With respect to um making sure that your officers do.

E

Act appropriately, can you talk a little bit about how you monitor them in terms.

E

Of the body cams the investigations and have you ever let.

E

Anyone go from your department who was.

E

Inappropriate in their behaviors who could not act respectfully as we would wish our law enforcement to behave in this community.

D

We have held officers accountable and we have had officers who have left the.

D

Department who didn't feel like they could they could work um in in the environment that we want them.

D

To work in, um we have had body cameras.

D

For seven-ish years, six, seven years um again, we we were one of the first in.

D

The state to to purchase those body cameras.

D

They are invaluable because they record what happens right there. um You know.

D

With the situation right now in in wisconsin, that agency did not have.

D

Body cameras so there's going to be lots of questions with what happened.

D

um Hopefully, if we would ever have a situation like that.

D

We would have that video from not just one officer but multiple officers.

D

Because um we have policies in place that those cameras come on um when they, when they get out of the.

D

Car we also have car or cameras in our cars.

D

That are activated when we turn on the lights, so we're always recording.

D

What we're doing in in situations and so um that body cam video, is.

D

Is uh we do they're kind of like quality control checks, periodically supervisors.

D

Will review body camera uh footage from officers just to see.

D

What's going on now, you have to you have to imagine if we have a shift of 10 officers and they they're all working.

D

There's lots of videos that are generated that we store.

D

So it takes time to go through that and if you are on one case that had five.

D

Officers, there's five different viewpoints that you can look at from those cameras, so so those are are are really invaluable.

D

In how we we monitor what they do, it provides us.

D

With a a a lot of information that is pretty.

D

Irrefutable because it's video um and so um but.

D

To hold our officers accountable, you know we have, um we use a system called.

D

Guardian tracking, which is a a a a system that has.

D

Positive things entered into it and negative things in it to it, and it also has a the capability to red flag someone. So if.

D

We have an officer that um you know under one supervisor, might.

D

Have done something and they put something in there and and it doesn't get communicated it tracks. All of that and it will. It will.

D

Give us a red flag warning if we have an officer that has maybe too many.

D

Complaints on whatever, um and so we can look at that.

D

We can go back and look at the body cams and see what they're doing and we can.

D

Either institute remedial training or, if necessary, if we have an officer that training doesn't doesn't change their.

D

Behavior then we can get rid of them and we have. We have that video evidence.

D

To support that.

E

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Both um it'll be time for a public comment.

B

Here in just a second, but one thing, I'd like to say before we um get to that.

B

We obviously didn't have time to get to all of the questions.

B

But they have been uploaded to the city website and I'll. Do this the.

B

Best, I can um give you that um site.

B

It is at bloomington.in.gov g dot, gov backslash.

B

On board backslash meeting files, backslash.

B

Download question mark meeting file space id equals 7506.

B

um I think mr lucas can maybe repeat that before we get out of here or make.

B

Sure that it's posted on our website um again, thank you.

B

Chief decoff I'd like for you to hang around if you.

B

If you will um now to my committee members, it's looking.

B

Like we have about 81 participants, I don't know how many of.

B

Those would like to speak um it's hard to indicate that, but.

B

We have one hour or 60 minutes for public comment.

B

So what would be your pleasure, or should it be? We normally go two minutes.

B

For public comments, what are your feelings on that? We'll go.

H

To two minutes, two minutes: each until we run out of the.

B

Time, okay and have something probably say.

B

About that as well later so, okay, um mr lucas,.

B

Oh one other thing: I will remind everyone: uh we don't have a visible.

B

Timer, so mr lucas will be keeping the time that'll be two minutes.

B

Per individual comment, um he'll give me a sign and I will.

B

Remind folks um that your time is up should you exceed.

B

That, okay, there you go. Mr lucas.

G

Thank you yes, uh for members of the public wishing to make.

G

A comment uh you can do that by either using the raise hand, function which.

G

It looks like lots of folks have started to queue up for that.

G

uh Or if, if you can't access that, you can send a chat to the.

G

To the meeting host and I will uh have the clerk acknowledge, you.

G

In order and um for the folks wanting to use the raise hand, comment, you can click.

G

On participants at the bottom of the screen- and I believe that brings up the option to uh to click, raise your hand and we've got a number of folks already lined up. And I believe uh the.

G

Chief deputy clerk will help uh call on folks one at a time and.

G

I will uh try to indicate with a time-up symbol when, when folks have.

G

Reached the end of the two minutes: okay, we'll get started and I'll just.

B

Remind the public that um when you have comments, please state your.

B

Full name who do we have uh mr lupus.

H

H

No, no problem I'll be assisting with um the order. I've been keeping.

H

Tabs here- and there is a list right now- the first person to speak is jdb.

H

And they should be unmuted, hello, hello, thank you. I take extreme exception.

I

To chief decoff's insisting that his police force is a uh not.

I

Racist police force that none of them even have.

I

A racist thought in their brain, that is a.

I

Grotesque interpretation of what is racism and what is racist,.

I

In this country, I would like to know what criteria he is basing that.

I

Assessment on who gave him that assessment um were there.

I

Any black people or brown people involved in making that assessment of.

I

His police force, given the fact that his police force is.

I

Mostly white and that he himself is white so who.

I

Is it that is that is giving him this uh idea that his ra his police force.

I

Is not racist? I have report after report after report.

I

From black people in this community saying that they are continually.

I

Harassed by the police force in this town, we have.

I

Their own statistics to prove that they are arresting black.

I

People in this community, at higher rates than white people for the.

I

Same crimes, so how is bpd.

I

Any different than any other police force other than the fact that they.

I

Aren't currently murdering black people, not.

I

That they don't have a history of murdering black people in this town.

I

Everybody should remember the name, denver smith.

I

um But that they aren't currently killing black people in this town.

I

The last call that we were on last week with the city council. There were a lot.

I

Of of uh pro-police people talking about how.

I

uh Things that are happening outside of this community.

I

um Shouldn't factor into what's happening in this community.

I

And that's a damn lie. Last saturday uh there was a.

I

Violent rally by pro-police people in this town, trump-loving.

I

uh Anti-Masters give me one second, I will finish.

I

um And I would like to say that in the entire time that black lives matter has.

I

Been protesting in this town, none of our protests have.

I

Been violent, it didn't take one minute until the.

I

Police protests turned into a violent protest. You tell.

I

Me if we are any different than anywhere else, we are not thank you.

H

Thank you. Next, we have bill sanchez and they should be unmuted.

F

Go ahead, mr sanchez.

F

Mr sims, you are muted, I don't know if mr sanders.

A

Sorry, if any other folks will uh will have the same issue.

G

So the the clerk in the meeting host, we can't actually unmute you. We can just.

G

Request that you unmute request and enable you to unmute.

G

Yourself, so uh when you do call on folks um you'll.

G

You'll have to take some action, so I don't know if mr sanchez was having.

G

Audio issues for any any of the other folks who have audio issues that.

G

Would like to make a comment: you can either type your comment into the chat.

G

And we will try to read that out loud time permitting.

G

uh Or you can always email written comments to the.

G

To the council in the committee here um at council.

G

Bloomington.Ian.Gov, okay, thank you um is mr sanchez still.

B

I'm there he's he's he's back now, give one second, okay,.

J

Sorry I was disconnected, can you give us your name, please.

J

My name is william sanchez resident of bloomington pay taxes in bloomington.

J

um I'm calling as a law student and a member of the national lawyers guild.

J

Chapter at the mauer school of law.

J

Specifically, the intersectional justice committee.

J

I wanted to bring up two points that some of my fellow.

J

Committee members had issues with uh with recent events. There was a indiana.

J

Student daily article that went out uh that focused on police officers in.

J

Bloomington not wearing masks, and additionally, one captain. I think.

J

Peda guillo or uh captain p. I don't know what.

J

His last name was making a statement regarding questioning.

J

And recording a blog of law enforcement officers and.

J

Making a threat of arresting anybody who records in questions law.

J

Enforcement officers in bloomington, I believe, for interfering with law.

J

Enforcement duties- I just want to bring attention to the.

J

Chief and just the committee and the general public that there's a seventh circuit seventh circuit case that.

J

uh Has precedent over indiana called aclu.

J

V, alvarez, which constitutionally protects.

J

uh Public individuals, private individuals from.

J

To record police officers in the public, obviously you can't actually.

J

Like interfere and like get involved in the crime scene, but you can still record.

J

uh This is a seventh circuit case. Anything.

J

Any statement otherwise from law enforcement officers in bloomington.

J

um Is just a misrepresentation of constitutional law.

J

um I hope that the chief can re-educate this captain and his uh officers on this.

J

Issue, uh additionally, uh speaking of somebody who served in.

J

The army reserves for over seven years. uh It baffles me that there are law.

J

Enforcement officers in this community that think that they're above the standard and shouldn't be wearing masks, especially when interacting with citizens uh closer than six feet.

J

Arresting citizens detaining citizens, I think it's in the best interests of.

J

The citizens and law enforcement officers to wear masks.

B

Thank you for your comment.

H

Yes, next week, next, we have kathy crabtree.

H

And they should be unmuted hi, I'm kathy crabtree, bloomington resident.

K

For over 30 years, molly stewart and I are making a.

K

Proposal tonight that the bloomington city council established a community advisory on public safety, commission.

K

Or caps commission that reports to the bloomington city council.

K

We propose that several seats on the caps commission.

K

Be reserved for organizations that represent marginalized communities.

K

Or organizations that are led by black indigenous and people of color.

K

Such as blm bloomington, el centro, communal latino,.

K

Middleweight house indiana recovery alliance.

K

Homeless coalition shalom community center.

K

Bloomington chapter of national alliance on mental illness.

K

New leaf new life and a few open seats for community.

K

Community members, not representing a specific group.

K

Because public safety means different things to different people.

K

And because the voices of some groups in our community are often not heard or.

K

Listened to the caps commission would focus on reaching out to the groups listed above, among others,.

K

Within our community to gather from them directly.

K

Not only what public safety means to them, but also what services might assist.

K

Them in feeling and actually being safe to be clear. The caps commission.

K

Would not be an oversight commission on bpd.

K

If the city determines that an oversight commission is needed.

K

That might fall under the purview of the public safety board.

K

The caps commission is about having a broader community conversation.

K

Regarding what public safety means and how we can enhance.

K

Public safety for all by including full representation.

K

In the discussion, thank you.

B

Thank you for your comments. Who do we have next? Mr mcdowell,.

H

Next is molly stewart and they should also be unmuted now.

L

Hi, thank you. um I'm gonna. Can you hear me.

M

Yes, okay, I'm going to follow up on what um kathy said. So I'm molly stewart at.

L

Bloomington resident of 10 years and professionally a researcher and program evaluator I'm going to expand on this idea of the.

L

Community advisory and public safety commission, so we envision this commission to have two broad goals. The first.

L

Being basically doing a needs assessment in terms of public safety, especially.

L

Focus on groups in our community that may not associate safety with police.

L

Or policing we cannot truly serve the safety needs of the entire public until.

L

We understand what these are. We heard in the budget.

L

Hearing meetings last week that the chief of police plans to measure the department's success in public safety.

L

According to the results of the city survey, but we believe that this survey.

L

Does not adequately differentiate among why people feel safe or unsafe bpd may.

L

Assume that police increase the feelings of safety, but the.

L

Truth is that police make some people feel less safe.

L

We also note, as jada noted and has uh stories to share with us.

L

If we need data, we also note that the survey cannot adequately represent the.

L

Entire community, because it was mailed and not everyone in bloomington- has a.

L

Permanent or stable address, they are community members too. So the.

L

First, step in understanding, public safety will be hearing from the public directly and in their own words,.

L

And this commission is aimed at focusing on voices which are not always heard.

L

Either, due to issues of access, time and resources, transportation and or.

L

Knowledge of how they can be heard or how they can make their voices heard, and then the second broad goal would be proposing one or more solutions, and this must obviously be shaped by the.

L

Information collected in the needs assessment.

L

We believe that one solution might be the development of a 3-1-1 resource and.

L

Possibly a change in dispatcher procedures, so that calls do not necessarily go to the police. This would cut down on the.

L

Police burden, which is clearly an issue and to solve issues that cannot can be.

L

Addressed by other services, and it may also allow some folks to.

L

Reach out for help who might not feel comfortable reaching out to the police.

L

And are not getting help when they need it, so um that is our idea and we'd love to talk about it further with the.

L

Council and anyone else, who's interested, please reach out to us.

L

Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next is lisa paducah.

H

And they should be unmuted hi. Can you hear me.

B

We sure, can you have two minutes? Can you state your name, please.

N

Yes, my name is lisa padalka p-o-d-u-l-k-a.

N

And I'm a monroe county resident and a recent graduate of indiana university.

N

And um I would just like to commend jdb for everything that.

N

She said and echo what she's saying and she's definitely certainly more.

N

Qualified to speak um as to whether bpd is racist or not,.

N

But I do entirely agree that just the idea of not.

N

Having a racist thought that the chief pointed out.

N

Earlier is not the same thing as not being a part of the systemic racism.

N

And white supremacy of this country that is deeply reflected.

N

In the police force all across this nation.

N

I also have concerns about the militarized equipment that was brought.

N

Up earlier and follow-up questions about that, and I.

N

Have to say, I don't really understand the um justification or the.

N

You know trying to lessen the worry by saying that, oh just because we have it.

N

Doesn't mean we use it because if there's no intention of using it at.

N

Some point: why do we have it in the first place so because we have a bearcat.

N

And because we have less than lethal weapons that have proven time and time again to actually cause great harm to individuals, um it doesn't make me feel better that.

N

The aim is to not use them. If we have them, we can use them.

N

um And then finally, this may seem like a small thing, but I would like to.

N

Reference part of the original slideshow from last tuesday's meeting.

N

um Quote reduce part one crimes, including burglaries, robberies and.

N

Thefts by three percent by using enhanced technology and data.

N

Driven strategies to modify patrol patterns to address problems as they.

N

Arise- um and I was wondering about what this enhanced technology is, whether it's facial recognition, software.

N

And to point out that, um as I'm sure many of you are aware.

N

uh Specifically, uh chief diekov that facial recognition software, if that is.

N

Something that's included in this. Enhanced technology has been proven to disproportionately misidentify um people of color and women, um and.

N

Those are all my commentary. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Next.

H

Is lauren skelton and they should be unmuted. Some of you.

O

Have heard me before I brought to you the idea that the bearcat was pardon me. Pardon me, I'm sorry. I don't want to hurt.

B

Can you pronounce your full name, please lauren skelton. Thank you. Sorry about.

B

That that's okay, some of you have heard from.

O

Me before I brought to you the idea that the bearcat was simply oversized body.

O

Armor, which is how it has been used much like a bulletproof, vest the primary.

O

Purpose of which is officer protection, the novak study.

O

Has been unquestioned regarding any other department in the city.

O

If there were concerns about the validity they should have been addressed before taxpayer dollars were spent on it and further, quite honestly, nobody could evaluate any police.

O

Department unbiasedly at this point due to widely politicized perceptions.

O

Influenced by a variety of factors, it's not about validity. The questioning.

O

Of that study is about politics and perception as far.

O

As turnover, my personal information results in a 47.

O

Turnover rate at bpd but sure rounding down to ten percent divided.

O

Over four years sounds better: it is rounded down to ten percent over.

O

The course of the last four years, which results in a 47.

O

Actual current turnover rate do your research.

O

Morale was bad before political perceptions made. It.

O

Unbearable bpd takes four to five times the required amount of training.

O

But it would never be enough. I heard people say last week that racial bias.

O

Training doesn't work yet blm is demanding that the police.

O

Department and city council members take their training.

O

I also heard last week that my voice as a police wife, was invalid.

O

I've got to tell you that's ridiculous, I'm the one who sends the love of my.

O

Life out the door into a world that hates him not knowing if he will come back home, I'm the one who has to explain to my.

O

Children, why he's still at work hours after he was supposed to be home or called in on the days that he was supposed to be off often on special.

O

Family holidays, I'm the one who has to take those children to the hospital to visit their dad after the people he protects and.

O

Serves destroy him on multiple occasions.

O

I attended the back the blue rally last weekend, which was absolutely.

O

Not immediately violent, as a matter of fact, those in attendance even politely.

O

Cleared the sidewalk upon the arrival of blm.

O

Unfortunately, blm was not willing to stop with a peaceful passing through.

O

And I watched them continue to reinsert themselves in various spaces.

O

Throughout the event, until they encroached upon the physical space of several individuals enough to cause them to feel that they needed to defend.

O

Themselves, they called the cops they called the.

O

Cops tyranny in that I'm sorry, we've come to.

B

The end of that time, thank you for your comment.

H

Next is uh elizabeth williams and they should be unmuted hi.

P

Can you all hear me? Yes, okay, um I have a few things to say. Can you give.

B

Us your full name, please. Yes, elizabeth williams, thank you. So I've.

P

Taken a look at the document listed in the chat with various.

P

Questions answered and this states that 40.6 of black.

P

Individuals arrested in bloomington listed their home address as being.

P

Outside the city of bloomington, I'm wondering if we have any information.

P

For white individuals arrested in bloomington.

P

Because I'd be curious to see if there's a disparity there or if the numbers are.

P

Actually, somewhat similar also.

P

I would like to see the bloomington police department get rid of the bearcat.

P

And substitute it with another vehicle that is not associated with violent.

P

State responses to community uprisings. I think that this would be a good step.

P

Towards listening to the concerns of black other minority residents, which were already ignored when the bearcat was.

P

Acquired, I also understand that chief decoff.

P

Emphasized actions not equipment with regard to the militarization of police, however, why do we even need military.

P

Equipment in the first place, I'm not concerned about things like boots, but I am very concerned about things like combat vehicles.

P

And other equipment that arms the police and gives them excessive pirate.

P

Firepower and other military power over citizens. One other thing I noticed.

P

In the report with questions is that we still allow no knock warrants in bloomington. Why is.

P

This the case just because they are rare and they have.

P

To be approved by a judge does not mean that they are justified or.

P

Okay, I think that we should strongly reconsider this policy and consider.

P

Getting rid of no knock warrants altogether.

P

Finally, I would like to second jada b's comments and.

P

Note that I think that members of bpd should seriously take a look at.

P

Themselves and their organization and try to determine the ways in which.

P

They are still as a systemic structure contributing to white supremacy. Racism is not just about being in the.

P

Clan or expressing negative views about people of color.

P

It's something that's systemic. It shows up in more subtle attitudes and.

P

Interactions and it's something that bpt can't get.

P

Rid of if it doesn't listen to local people of color, which, as of right now, they have not had a great track record with.

P

That's all I have to say thank you. Thank you for your comments.

H

Next, we have james haverstock new and they should be unmuted.

Q

Thank you so much james haverstock. I am noticing that there is an.

Q

Incredible amount of emotion being expressed tonight and the same was true.

Q

At our last meeting, when emotion meets logic, logic takes a.

Q

Back seat, what the emotion, the anger.

Q

Some of it righteous has failed to do is address the fact.

Q

That bpd is terribly understaffed if we don't go on the numbers.

Q

On the science that we have on the data, that's provided to us.

Q

We're left with emotion, an emotion leads to.

Q

I think I wish I won't and that's not going to solve our problem for us.

Q

We paid a great deal of taxpayer money for a study that is comprehensive.

Q

I urge you to please take a look at that study.

Q

It is the one that details how understaffed we are.

Q

How violent crime is increasing in bloomington.

Q

And I fail to realize- and I ask you in all sincerity.

Q

How will reducing the number of sworn officers make us.

Q

Safer, I ask you to make additions to the department.

Q

Not to make reductions- and I thank you for all the attention that you give.

Q

Based on the data and not on the emotion, thank you for your comments. Next.

H

Is jana arthur and they should be unmuted.

R

Earlier chief dietcoff stated: I'm sorry, can you pronounce your full.

B

Name please: oh yeah sure my name is gianna.

R

Janna arthur do I have my full time. No, we've got that. That's fine! Thank you.

B

Very much chief decoff stated something about.

R

Dealing with the homeless- and that was really offensive to me.

R

And he said that he was going to send traffic enforcement officers.

R

Along with social workers and resource officers- and I thought that was pretty.

R

Bizarre kathy is forming the caps. I think it's called about safety.

R

And I just wanted to share something: that's happening in our town. That is not.

R

Safe for people there are fraternities at.

R

Indiana university: I have heard that are having hazings, where they are attacking.

R

People on the switch yard trail and that isn't safety.

R

Also, cops, don't mean safety to everybody. Healthy communities mean.

R

Safety- and I was also frustrated with the disgusting and accusatory remarks.

R

That a prior speaker said about blm and I yield my time.

B

Thank you for your comments. Next is rhett salisbury and they should be.

H

M

Yes, my name is rhett salisbury, I'm a long time. Bloomington resident.

M

Actually moved away from to virginia for a while, but decided to come back.

M

Thank you for allowing me to speak for the safety of bloomington.

M

For the record, I'm not employed by bloomington police department.

M

I have no family members connected to the police department.

M

The only times and I've spoken to them lately to a police officer lately.

M

So when I called because I wanted to set up a neighborhood watch.

M

We have had an uptick of attempted break-ins and also.

M

Petty damages, one of which was in five o'clock in the afternoon.

M

My wife was home by herself she's blind by the way.

M

And somebody's trying to break into the back door.

M

Last year, bloomington showed support for the police in their 2020 budget.

M

Review by the city council that the current administration was fully committed to and invested in, public safety commitment.

M

Was to be demonstrated by the hiring of eight new batch officers, two resource.

M

Specialists and after hours ambassador, in addition.

M

In addition, the goal was expressed to have reached.

M

One officer per 1000 population.

M

Which about national average, would that would get us put us.

M

Up at 121, not 105, not 100.,.

M

My question is what has changed from last year and this year.

M

The only difference I know of is the shift in political winds.

M

The political climate since we're having this discussion.

M

That shows that you are basing your decisions on the shifting sands.

M

Of temporary politics, what polls and statistics studies.

M

Have you listen, I'm not talking about the hateful.

M

Vitriol that I heard from especially the first speaker.

M

But actual logical studies, one study that we did was that we should.

M

Have more, please well wow, sorry, mr cells.

B

Mr salisbury, I'm sorry we're. Can you just.

B

Really finish up with a couple words: okay,.

M

Really quick, really, I would like okay, I would request you to represent.

M

Us bloomington, by supporting the police by at least keeping the same number of.

M

Badged officers and adding additional support of the.

M

Non-Badged caseworkers. Thank you. Thank you for your comments.

H

Next up is danielle bird and they should be unmuted.

S

Hello, can you hear me? Yes, this is danielle bird.

S

um And I just wanted to say that I wholeheartedly agree.

S

With kathy crabtree and molly stewart on the establishment on.

S

A caps commission to research, public safety and.

S

To talk to the vulnerable populations uh as to how they.

S

View safety, which is very different than um many other people also I do want to.

S

Urge chief decoff to take the offer by blm.

S

Bloomington to receive some education, there was a some deficits in his.

S

Understanding of systemic racism and when we have disproportionate.

S

Numbers of black individuals involved in in the policing and criminal justice in.

S

Bloomington we have systemic racism, it's not about.

S

Individual thoughts or individual behavior, it's.

S

About that collective um issue, also um as a social worker.

S

I urge you to please not approve social workers to be.

S

Embedded in to bpd social workers employed by police is not a progressive.

S

Move at all, it's misguided to align social work with.

S

Law enforcement, social workers should never be used as.

S

Agents of social control or seen as part of the law enforcement.

S

System, it harms our profession in other ways.

S

That we're working with folks also, we definitely can provide social.

S

Work outside of the law enforcement- I know social workers are of value.

S

To the community, I just want to point out in eugene oregon.

S

Cahoots, which is a crisis intervention program, was able to respond to 20.

S

Of the area's 9-1-1 calls last year and through that program.

S

Teams of medics and experienced mental health professionals are dispatched to.

S

Handle certain emergencies instead of the police.

S

I just believe bloomington can and and should be able to provide for our.

S

Citizens in a different way- and there are models.

S

Out there and I'm really looking forward to thinking outside the box and not going with this social work.

S

Employed by uh law enforcement solution, okay, thank.

B

You for your comments, miss burt next is keegan g and they should be.

H

Unmuted hi, can you hear me yes yeah? My name is.

T

Keegan gulick I'm a bloomington resident and.

T

I just wanted to join in the calls for defunding the police and investing in.

T

Alternatives and social services, many people do speak to the positive.

T

Steps that bpd has taken, but unfortunately I don't believe that.

T

They are enough when people say to fund the police.

T

I think it means that we need to reallocate our resources.

T

To deal with the root of crime police as an institution.

T

Are not set up to deal with the societal problems that lead to crime in the first.

T

Place, I think that we need more resources for.

T

Affordable housing, social services and alternatives to the.

T

Police, the point is to create conditions where.

T

Police, as we know them would not be necessary.

T

And I think that this is something that we can do as a community and it actually.

T

Would be the more logical and efficient way to reallocate our resources, and there are examples like.

T

Of programs throughout the country like cahoots, which, like the last speaker, said.

T

Handles 20 of 911 calls in eugene, but is only around two percent.

T

Of their budget, um so I think that would be a more efficient way to allocate our.

T

Resources um you know, I just think that we should.

T

Take more concrete steps towards changing how we think about public.

T

Safety in bloomington- it's not just a question of how we.

T

Allocate resources but how we deal with systemic racism.

T

In our community, throughout our criminal justice system and police.

T

We need structural chains and drastic measures that meet the needs of the most.

T

Vulnerable in our community, so that's that's my comment. Black lives.

T

Matter. Thank you. Thank you very much for your comments.

H

Next is nate r and they should now be unmuted.

B

Are you there nate.

B

Are you there nate.

G

It looks as though he's uh nate's unmuted, although can you hear me yes,.

G

We can, can you thank you, can you state your full name.

B

Hello, my name is nathan rosenblum, I'm also a resident of bloomington, as I.

U

Think many of us are- and I would first like to address.

U

The comment that um the bloomington police department is not.

U

A systemically racist organization, um I know that other people.

U

Have mentioned this, but I would like to say that it is misguided to to say that when people of color are.

U

Disproportionately targeted for use of force and disproportionately the subject of arrest.

U

That defines a systemically racist organization.

U

You might ask, you might say, as the document does.

U

That that is because these are the people for whom the police.

U

Are called on these are the people who are experiencing.

U

Homelessness at a higher rate um and the question.

U

Obviously, there is well: what is, what are the police supposed to do about that.

U

um And the answer is they're not equipped to deal with that, which is why.

U

We need services that solve the root problems.

U

We mentioned cahoots um already, which um does respond to 20.

U

Of eugene oregon's 911 calls and goes to their regular dispatch.

U

Having a service like that here, that could.

U

For example, refer people to the stride center.

U

Where, right now, you would have to be referred by a police officer.

U

Would be a great step towards reducing or increasing services towards.

U

The most vulnerable members of our society um also I'd like to respond to some of the.

U

Claims in the document that um social workers and resourcers.

U

Downtown resource officers etc need to be part of the police department.

U

In order to share information or have access to officers.

U

In case of emergencies, those are nate.

B

I'm sorry we're approaching the end of your two minutes.

B

Okay: um okay: there are many options we have and they don't all.

U

Involve armed officers. Thank you. Thank you for your comments.

B

H

Next is kel and they should be unmuted.

V

Hi, my name is kelly. Everett I've been a resident of bloomington for a little.

V

Over a year, I want to say I support everything that.

V

J2B said, I also um I'm extremely offended.

V

And uh that the chief of police won't even admit that there is racism.

V

Within police force, that's just um it's trying to stay out of my emotions.

V

But it's offense, it's a lie. It's just a straight-up lie, and that is.

V

uh That's why we wanted to fund the police they're not willing to meet.

V

People with they're not willing to be flexible.

V

On anything, we won't admit fault, they won't acknowledge what we're.

V

Just bringing to them to say hey, this is what we want. This is what we need.

V

And we're just met with I'm, not I'm, I'm a white person, I'm safe.

V

I'm okay, I'm speaking out for everyone else out there, who's not being protected.

V

When they are we're doing everything to show you what we need.

V

And the police are just aren't doing their jobs and that's why we need to be defunded because they're not going to change they're, not they're, not willing to meet us at all. And that's all.

B

Thank you for your comments. Next is nathan mutchler, and they should.

H

B

Are you there nathan.

H

I am attempting to unmute mr mutchler's.

H

Account and uh sorry about that, um can you hear me: okay,.

W

Yes, we can, can you give us your full name? Please? Yes, my name is nathan.

W

Mutchler, I am also a bloomington resident.

W

um Thank you. I want to start by echoing and supporting everything that jdb said.

W

She said everything I wish I could say much more artfully.

W

Passionately and better than uh than I could articulate.

W

um I would humbly ask that the council uh take the.

W

uh 41 500 in the budget for handguns rifles, less lethal rounds.

W

um Body armor patrol and critical incident and use.

W

That for something that actually will will give back to the community well.

W

Some blankets, medicine, food, shelter.

W

I think that there is a misconception um that.

W

Policing is uniquely dangerous. uh Policing is hard work.

W

Work is hard. I work in a kitchen, that's hard work.

W

According to osha, uh police is the 14th most dangerous occupation.

W

With approximately uh 14 fatalities, sorry 14 injuries per 100, 000 workers.

W

Nationwide, the median annual wage is nine thousand.

W

Dollars, six hundred and eighty, um I would argue.

W

Like all of our wages, that's probably too low and.

W

uh Like all of our injuries, that's probably too high.

W

However, garbagemen are the number five.

W

Most dangerous profession, with uh over twice the fetal injuries per 100.

W

000. 34 uh fatal injuries per 100, 000 workers.

W

And a median annual wage of 35 000 so for for this council or for anyone.

W

To clutch at their pearls and to say that we have to fund our dangerous.

W

Police that it's so hard they need these weapons. They need these things that kill.

W

And maim and hurt our children, our families and our loved ones.

W

I would just ask where is that same compassion when it comes to our sanitation workers when it comes to our fire department?.

B

um Mr muscular hates to be rude. Thank you very much for your comments.

H

Next is katie wrightmeyer and they should be unmuted.

X

Hi everyone I just wanted to go ahead and echo nathan. What.

X

You just said: can you can you please pronounce your full name? Please.

X

Me yeah: yes, I prefer to go by kate, kate, wright, meyer.

X

um I just wanted to thank you jim. I wanted to go ahead and echo nathan.

X

In that, no one ever said: f the fire department.

X

um So the okay, so I'm a social worker here in.

X

Bloomington I studied under donald byrd,.

X

And danielle taught me well, and I know that social work as an arm of the.

X

Criminal justice system does not work. I wanted to read as fast as I can from.

X

This art of this slate article from laurie james towns, who's, the director of.

X

The office of public defenders in maryland- and here we go the need to separate social work from policing. Therefore,.

X

Is not just a practical outcome-oriented matter, it is moral imperative.

X

Social workers must not be complicit in a system of violence founded on racial.

X

Oppression, we already have enough to work to do as a profession to reckon with our own role in perpetuating social control through.

X

Jails and prisons, community supervision and child protective services, the racist.

X

Past and present of policing in this country is at direct.

X

Odds with social work as a profession, our ethical.

X

Principles of our commitment to our clients and their self-determination and.

X

The importance of human relationships and helping our clients in our work there is no place for the isolation. Shame.

X

And violence that are hallmarks of policing black lives matter.

X

I yield my time.

B

Thank you for your comments. Next is brittany jarrett, and they should.

H

Be unmuted I can hear me, we sure, can hi. My name is.

Y

Brittany jarrett I'm a bloomington red taxpayer of 16.

Y

Years, prior to my 16 years in bloomington, I grew up in hammond indiana. If you aren't familiar with hamid, it's a.

Y

Very unsafe area, due to like a lot of violence gangs, things of that.

Y

Nature gangs that include people of all races.

Y

My father was an officer of the hammond police department for 30 years. He was on swat and the gang unit.

Y

And I was terrified every day that my father wouldn't make it home.

Y

Because when he went to work during the massive violence he faced.

Y

Not violence, he was behind violence. He had to protect his community from.

Y

Might I add that department currently has 211 sworn officers.

Y

Now, living in bloomington, I'm married to an officer of the bloomington police.

Y

Department, I am more terrified today that when my.

Y

Wife goes to work, she won't come home and I'm more terrified of that than I.

Y

Ever was for my father. The current staffing levels at bpd are.

Y

Unsafe, the citizens of the community aren't safe and the officers themselves.

Y

Aren't safe, I would hope that you, as a public safety committee and members of the city council, would open your eyes to see that there is more than just political or.

Y

Racial issue going on right now they are understaffed and a story.

Y

I heard someone say we need a healthy community. This doesn't mean we need less.

Y

Police or to reallocate our resources is, we need to start with a full staff and.

Y

Build on that to make sure that our community is safe. First from.

Y

Crime, more community outreach if they're feeling unsafe.

Y

Not necessarily more non-sworn employees, um I heard someone state policing as.

Y

Hard work and then advised we should be compassionate to our sanitation and fire.

Y

Departments, I'd like to remind everyone listening that we have no understaffing in our sanitation or fire departments.

Y

um I'd like us all to you know remember that while there's a.

Y

Lot of people on here saying, there's stuff that can just be passed.

Y

Off to another service, it's not necessarily true, just because those people are saying it, um everyone is that that's saying that.

Y

Seems to be just assuming that a non-sworn employee can handle.

Y

More than the situation entails, so I appreciate your time. Thank you. Thank.

B

You for your comments next is taylor pendleton, and they should.

H

Be unmuted now hey, can you guys hear me, we sure can all.

Z

Right, thank you. So uh can you say your full.

Z

Name, please yeah. It's taylor, pendleton. Thank you.

Z

um So, looking into kind of what we've been talking about, defunding the police.

Z

um I've been looking at a lot of the news articles that are going on.

Z

Going on, as well as being a member of the pro police rally that happened, this.

Z

Past weekend here in bloomington and realizing that.

Z

We had six of the bloomington police department.

Z

Guys on staff there, yet we still had several.

Z

Injuries that occurred between the counter protests that showed up.

Z

And we're striking people in the face with batons.

Z

We had guys who charged their weapons and started.

Z

Leveling them off, as in the intent to fire those rounds.

Z

Into the protesting crowd and the only people that were there were.

Z

Security, uh msi security. So my question as we're talking about.

Z

Defunding the police not giving them weapons and body armor is.

Z

If we look at just uh yesterday, there were three shot.

Z

And two fatally injured up at one of the protests from a militia group.

Z

So is the intent for us to defend the police department to the point where now.

Z

Private citizens are our desire desiring to protect their.

Z

City and that we have to then ensue the.

Z

Aftermath of what is to come, um or are we going to you know, look at.

Z

The actual statistics of what bloomington presents, which is 1.

Z

In 27, um as you are likely to be a victim of.

Z

Either property and or violence uh here in bloomington.

Z

um Speaking to these guys, who are you know,.

Z

The the guy who mentioned he works in a kitchen. uh Well, unfortunately, the guy.

Z

Who works in the kitchen isn't necessarily when he goes to a call.

Z

Have his life potentially taken from him from some person who wants to go suicide.

Z

By cop, so not only as a guy who spent 14 years.

Z

In the military, but also three of those years as a law enforcement officer.

Z

Myself, my questions to those people who are are.

Z

Talking about defunding the police and putting social workers in.

Z

And now harm's way is at what point do we realize that social workers.

Z

um Are not trained if the situation should escalate.

Z

uh To the point where they do need police and then what is the.

Z

Expected response time, I'm sorry, mr pendleton! Your time is up.

Z

Okay, thank you. Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude. Thank you. Thank you for your.

B

Comments who do we have next? Mr mcdowell? Next is.

H

Savannah perlman and they should be unmuted.

AA

Hi, my name is savannah perlman. I want to start by saying you choose to be a.

AA

Police officer, but you don't choose to be black.

AA

A previous speaker was concerned that emotion prevents us from.

AA

Using our logic, so that's fine. Let's look at the facts.

AA

We know that bpd disproportionately targets black members of our community.

AA

Since 2016, 24 of instances of use of force were against black people,.

AA

And yet bloomington is only less than five percent.

AA

Black and yet, despite these facts, we all heard chief tekoff say that racism.

AA

Doesn't exist in bloomington and none of the police officers here.

AA

Have ever had a racist thought so something's false and it's not the.

AA

Statistics we're not claiming that every police.

AA

Officer has bad intent right. Bad intent is not a requirement.

AA

For being racist, nor is it required for acting in racist.

AA

Ways or upholding racist systems continuing to fulfill the request for.

AA

Increased budget and increased staff is ignoring the elephant in our country.

AA

Right now, three days ago, we saw a police officer.

AA

Shoot a black man in the back seven times in front of his three children, so.

AA

Our question is to decide what we do in bloomington to meet this.

AA

Moment as we head into the third night of watching police use, tear gas.

AA

Actually, police family members to consider why people are protesting in.

AA

The first place- and it's not because we hate individual police, it's because we see the murders over and over and over and.

AA

Enough is enough. Police violence is real police violence targets, people of color.

AA

Police violence is preventable limit access to militarized weapons and.

AA

Get serious about introspection. The first step is admitting that racism.

AA

Is here it's in our town, it's in our police force.

AA

And for all these reasons, I'm in favor for relocating and reinvesting funds.

AA

From bpd into our community black lives matter, thank you.

B

Thank you for your comments. Who do we have next miss madame.

H

Next is uh rachel batcar vacca um and they.

H

Should now be unmuted all right, can you hear me.

AB

Sure can all right perfect, so my name is rachel vatka. I want to start off with my.

AB

Quick note there should be no debate as to whether or not police should be wearing masks during this time, whether or not.

AB

Anybody is in their car whether or not it takes.

AB

Them two extra seconds: kovit is the number one killer of cops.

AB

In 2020 drastically moving on from that, I was.

AB

Hearing I recall hearing earlier about police safety facility.

AB

Facilitating during events so that no one gets hurt, no property.

AB

Gets damaged with this, I would like to know where this crowd control was when.

AB

The trump rally took place at the courthouse this last saturday. It.

AB

Was supposed to be a black, the blue rally, but in all reality there were way more trump flags.

AB

There was no social distancing at this event. No masks were being worn.

AB

And there was little to no interference when literally every single.

AB

Person of color, who was counter protesting, was violently assaulted,.

AB

On the on the contrary, last summer, in the farmer's market.

AB

There was a woman holding a sign against fascism and she was arrested.

AB

At the trump rally there were multiple militiamen who were.

AB

Toting guns and the police presence there was.

AB

Minimal, if any at all, I believe somebody mentioned that there was.

AB

Security there, and with that, I would like to.

AB

Request that the police department reconsiders.

AB

Who is really a risk and who is just using their voice, and I would.

AB

Like this reasoning to be based on logic, with.

AB

That being said, black lives matter. I yield my time.

B

Thank you next is sam barbash riley, and they should be unmuted.

AC

Hello, my name is sam barbash riley. I am a resident of monroe county.

AC

Specifically, bloomington also would like to echo what other.

AC

Social workers have said we should not become complicit in the.

AC

Violence, please continue to commit I'd, also like to echo everything. Jdb has.

AC

Said, and would they take blm training.

AC

Specifically because it's evident from the statement.

AC

That there's just no racist thought in the police department.

AC

um I think that there has been a lot of research to show that.

AC

Majority of people have some sort of racist thought. We are.

AC

Raised in a racist society to leave untouched from that is just not.

AC

Possible, um I also like to say for not planning.

AC

On using the bearcat sell it there's no reason to have that.

AC

You know when that could be money. That's better spent elsewhere.

AC

I would like to encourage us to reallocate these funds.

AC

Rather than continuing to police, our neighbors.

AC

Specifically over police people of color and people who don't have the finances.

AC

That they need to live. Put that money towards health care put.

AC

That money towards housing- these are the things that are going to.

AC

Get at the causes of you know these different.

AC

Things that we're so concerned about, um if we're worried about you, know.

AC

People breaking in um if we're worried about you, know.

AC

Police needing to get called into domestic violence situations the way to address that is by giving.

AC

People better access to housing, that's more stability.

AC

They don't have to stay in violent situations. Lastly, because I know I'm.

AC

Running out of time to whoever said that social workers.

AC

Don't need to get into violent situations.

AC

And aren't trained in de-escalation. Obviously you don't know much about.

AC

Social work, because this is something that we do have to learn um and I've regularly gone into situations.

AC

That are definitely most people would raise an eyebrow at.

AC

um And I am trained in de-escalation, I don't need a gun, I'm sorry! I hate to.

B

Be rude but we've come to the end of your time.

B

Thank you for your comments. Next is daniel bingham and they should be.

H

AD

uh There's so much that's gone by and so much to cover it.

AD

It bears pointing out that there would not be any chaos.

AD

In kenosha wisconsin right now, if the police had not.

AD

Murdered a black man in broad daylight and then resisted.

AD

All accountability for it that city would be peaceful right now,.

AD

If the police had a done their job right in the first place,.

AD

Or b held their own accountable, the chaos.

AD

Is their damn fault? The militiamen who murdered two people.

AD

Was greeted by police officers before he committed that act of violence.

AD

They thanked him for his presence. They offered him water.

AD

He was underage and in fact, in violation of the open.

AD

Carry laws and he was in violation the police enforced curfew. They did not id.

AD

Him they did not arrest him, they could have done both and prevented.

AD

Those killings they didn't after he shot those men. Those people.

AD

They allowed him to walk away from the scene.

AD

And only arrested him later, so that's really not.

AD

A good example of police, proper police conduct.

AD

We need to question whether or not police are even effective.

AD

We've talked so much about the racism embedded, the white supremacy embedded in.

AD

The system the harms police commit, but we need to.

AD

Question fundamentally, whether police even actually keep us.

AD

Safe, the national clearance rates for property and violence crime indicate.

AD

That they do not, they aren't solving crime they're, not.

AD

Preventing crime clearance rates for violent crime on the.

AD

National level are less than 50 percent the clearance.

AD

Rate is the rate okay, the percentage of cases in which an.

AD

Arrest is made less than 50 percent half of violent.

AD

Crime goes unsolved for property crimes. It's 17, 83.

AD

Of property crime goes unsolved, policing as we do it today,.

AD

Doesn't work, it doesn't keep us safe and it puts marginalized people and.

AD

People of color at risk.

AD

That includes here in bloomington, so the when we're, starting with the funding the.

AD

Place to look, you know we have, we do have to do it gradually.

AD

Start by looking at what's on the police plate that can be easily moved off.

AD

And in the meantime, just look into what we can do differently.

AD

With violence they're not doing that, I hate to be rude yet time's up. Thank you.

B

For your comments, next is makube reese.

H

And they should be unmuted. Thank you hi. um My name is maquiva reese.

AE

And I am on the board of public safety here in bloomington.

AE

um I just actually just got off a call with all my students.

AE

Our student, my students, just got back, and I worked for the kelly school of.

AE

Business um I just wanted to share just a couple.

AE

Of things a couple of facts, um as I mentioned, I am one of the board.

AE

Members there's five of us on the board: I'm a black woman, very active in the.

AE

Community seeking social justice and I'm also a social worker.

AE

And so, while I'm on the board of public on the board of public safety, we.

AE

Basically, over, we make sure that the police officers.

AE

We meet with the chief of police and we also meet with the fire chief.

AE

Monthly and so just real quick, I wanted to reiterate that the.

AE

Bloomington police department, they do implicit bias, training and have.

AE

Implemented the eight can't wait and some people have misconception that.

AE

It started years and years ago it is five years old.

AE

And the individuals who started that is d-ray mckesson.

AE

And brittany packnett, who are very active so.

AE

um Social justice and um individuals who are part of the black.

AE

Lives matter, um and so that's something that's only been.

AE

It's been five years and so something that we've been doing.

AE

uh For individuals, if they would like go ahead and go to our meetings, we share.

AE

They can't wait so people know what that means and how. What that.

AE

Entails and that on that board we have a black.

AE

Male, we have me as a black woman, we have.

AE

Another uh other individuals who oversee our chief of police in our um fire.

AE

Police um and our police officers, and so you can reach out to me actually.

AE

If you have, if you would like, um my email, is mqb.

AE

Dot reset r-e-e-s-e gmail.com um we're here as a conduit.

AE

uh To help support community trust, um and so that's why I'm here is to let you.

AE

Know that the board of public safety is not controlled by anybody. I have my own voice.

AE

um And so go ahead and shoot some shoot me an email. If you have some issues but.

AE

As of uh what I've seen so far the past three years, makueva, I'm sorry.

B

You've come to your time, okay! Well! Thank you. I just.

AE

Wanted to share that real quick. Thank you very much for your comments.

B

Next, okay! Well, actually um thank you for that. We were to end public.

B

Comment at one hour at 7 40., it's now 7 41.. I would.

B

Ask the folks who were still here and I do apologize.

B

um We have limited time, but there's some folks who still have some.

B

Comments, um I think I would suggest that you send them to our council office.

B

That's council, bloomington.in.gov and your responses or your messages will.

B

Be sent to us committee members and us council.

B

Members at large.

B

It is now time to move to final council comments.

B

I will do this by alphabetical order. I do believe, I think that's the best.

B

um Case to do that, um councilmember sims! Yes, sir, can I have just a couple of.

D

Minutes to clarify a couple of things: uh yes, you can.

B

Alright, well, I don't think what I said earlier about policing and systemic race.

D

And racism came out um the way that.

D

It I intended it to certainly there is, there is systemic race and racism and.

D

Policing throughout history- and it still exists.

D

Today, we all have racist thoughts, um but we work really hard.

D

To overcome those those racist um thoughts, we work really hard to come up.

D

Overcome those racist legacies, that's why we continue to do training.

D

And hopefully that training will will stop those actions from coming.

D

Out so I just want to clarify that that I don't believe that there's no racist.

D

Activity, no racist police officers, um but we we continue to train so that.

D

We can we can address that and and stop that um mentioned a couple of times. There was an article in the ids.

D

This week that um I take issue with, I don't think it was quite.

D

Accurate, our officers are required to wear, face, masks.

D

um They're not required to wear them when they are in their vehicles, but when they interact with the public they are required to do that. I mean.

D

Somebody mentioned something about uh facial recognition, software we.

D

Are not using any of that that the increased technology is mapping software.

D

Thank you, okay, thank you for your input, chief.

B

Thank you for being here this evening.

B

I just do want to say um I do apologize to anyone who I mean hope. No one is.

B

Offended that we couldn't get to um the few public commenters that were.

B

Left we have had a series of these meetings.

B

We will continue to have so we try to limit them, so um uh we can.

B

Make as much progress as we can um we're now down to council. I'm sorry.

B

Committee members final comment times going by.

B

Alphabetical order, we'll start with council member isabel piedmont, smith.

F

Yeah, um thank you both to members of the public and to chief decoff.

F

For um the discussion tonight I still have a lot of questions.

F

I um I think some members of the public have read more of the written responses.

F

Than I have because I I work full time and I just got them.

F

This afternoon, so um I was shocked. I was shocked.

F

That bpd sometimes uses no knock warrants.

F

And chief decoup, I know it, you know there's further details in here.

F

About how it takes a judge's order and all that, um but.

F

Can you guarantee me that a situation like brianna taylor.

F

Cannot happen in bloomington.

F

Oh, I'm sorry am. I allowed to not allowed to ask a question.

F

Councilmember sims we're committee members. um I don't want.

B

um We it wasn't intended for public to to ask directly the chief. I don't.

B

Really see a real issue with committee members he's here and you're here.

D

We take great strides to prevent those types of things. I don't know all.

D

The details of what happened there, what I have seen.

D

We certainly would have done things differently in that situation.

D

So we take, we take tremendous steps to make sure.

D

That a situation like that would not occur here. Can I say a hundred percent.

D

That it would never happen. No, I don't think anybody can, but we take.

D

Great strides to lessen the chances that that would.

D

F

Thank you. I I think this is a question that I'll bring to the board of public.

F

Safety for further discussions, um but just just in general, I think that.

F

uh It's it's clear that that some people.

F

That are here today um do need to learn more about systemic.

F

Racism and that it's not about racist actions.

F

It's about racist systems um and I also think that uh I'm I'm.

F

Very intrigued and uh supportive of the eye of the basic idea.

F

That cathy crabtree and molly stewart brought forward of a community advisory.

F

On public safety, commission and I'd really like to explore that further.

F

um But I do want to uh give my colleagues.

F

Time for their remarks as well, so I will. I will stop.

F

Now uh black lives matter.

B

Thank you, council member pete, mossman, um councilmember, sandberg.

E

Thank you. Our whole purpose here is to problem solve and make decisions, and we.

E

Have some difficult one difficult ones ahead of us? um We're.

E

Getting to better understanding throughout these listening sessions, but we have a long way to go. We're not there.

E

Yet I'm not hearing a whole lot different from some of our previous.

E

Opportunities to hear from the public, but it does reinforce the need to take a.

E

Look at things from both the police department.

E

As well as from the community, as well as individuals who do fear, the.

E

Police and have a good reason to.

E

Systemic racism exists very clearly in that some people view.

E

The police, as protectors and assets to the community, a very.

E

Important element of public safety and yet other people fear the police for.

E

Their own perspectives and their own histories.

E

And in seeing what's going on across the country and what has been.

E

Going on for a long time with respect to social injustice, and so clearly we have.

E

A lot of passion we have a lot of emotion, that's not a.

E

Bad thing that motivates us to get out and to.

E

Speak up and to take a look at things with a very cruel and a very.

E

Discerning lens and see what we can do to course correct.

E

I've heard a lot of things tonight about the root causes of crime. Now I'm a.

E

Social worker, too, that's my background and I'm well aware that social workers.

E

Are highly trained in de-escalating and working with difficult people.

E

um And I also hear the concerns about the mix and mingling.

E

Of social workers in a police department and and how do those roles.

E

Square up and perhaps how do they not square up.

E

Because again, the police are not responsible for the root causes of crime.

E

The police respond to reports when a crime is being committed.

E

And someone calls 911, the police are the first responders. That's their.

E

Role, if we're talking about root, causes of.

E

Any number of social ills in our community.

E

Social workers alone are not the saviors and again from being a social worker and.

E

And working in a system that was dealing with the.

E

Problems of child abuse, child sexual abuse, neglect.

E

It's it's very, very difficult to get to the root causes of.

E

Anything that causes some of our systemic ills.

E

And so we're placing an awful lot of responsibility at the feet of.

E

Two uh industries, policing and social work.

E

That the broader community has to address.

E

um All of us do and so um roles are going to be very difficult to try to.

E

Tease out who's responsible for what who's accountable for what and how do we.

E

Address people's fears and they are legitimate and they are very real.

E

And black lives and certainly black lives matter.

E

That is not even a question that anybody should be debating here.

E

What we are debating, though, is about the professionalism of the police department.

E

The training they need the staffing they need in order for us.

E

To make sure that they are not going to slip up and we are not going to become yet another city with another.

E

Horrible headline and another black lives.

E

Taken that is not what any of us want. That's the common ground here and so.

E

What we have to do, respectfully and with our passions in.

E

Check work toward that solution. That's what I.

E

Intend to do as a member of this committee and this council.

E

That's what I will encourage our mayor to do and.

E

That's what all of us have have a responsibility to do: the public safety.

E

For everyone in this community, everyone.

E

Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember sandberg.

B

Council members, ken blurry, thank you um council, member sandberg. I very much.

C

Appreciate what you said about, let's figure out where we do have common ground and what we do want. So thank you for that remark.

C

um Chief decock, thank you for being here to all of those of you who have offered.

C

Public comment, both here and at other meetings.

C

um Thank you for being part of this conversation.

C

It is really important to me personally and.

C

In this role to make decisions after hearing a range of viewpoints, and so I'm.

C

Grateful you have taken time. um I do want to echo one thing: chief.

C

Kikov said at the very beginning of this evening he encouraged council members to know everything they can about bpd.

C

And how it works and to consider doing a ride-along, um I am a new council member. I was just sworn in in january.

C

And so I purposefully sought out a chance to do a ride-along. I've attended.

C

Some roll calls and spent time with you leadership when I've met with members of.

C

The non-profit and social service community here in camp and specifically asked their perspective about bpd2.

C

And I think those are opportunities we all have and I just found it.

C

Very very helpful for me, so thank you for giving me that opportunity.

C

um And it does make sense that we all know as much as we can.

C

um Two areas of questions I still want to explore at some point.

C

Whenever that opportunity presents itself and I'm going to fess up, I.

C

Haven't read the whole document either because I was in meetings this.

C

Afternoon um but I would be interested in having bpd.

C

Respond to the novak report, there are multiple models presented in.

C

There- um and I haven't had a conversation yet.

C

Of any length about whether or not those models would work and whether or not.

C

They would actually be affected here uh and whether or not we have the.

C

Resources to pull them off so at some point I would be interested in that tape.

C

um I'm also interested, it seems like a lot of the discussion tonight, turned.

C

Around whether or not social worker social workers have a.

C

Place in bpd whether or not they are appropriately placed there um and I've heard two sides of that. I.

C

Found it really helpful um to sit down with melissa stone our.

C

Dpp social worker and talk about that. I had a as a guest at one of my constituent meetings.

C

And at some point I would be interested in her take because she's heard all these conversations too. um So I think that's an interesting.

C

Question you still have to face, um as I think about this, and as I look.

C

Ahead to the budget hearing on the 30th and the ultimate decisions here are the.

C

Questions I keep coming back to. I was writing these, as we talked tonight.

C

First of all, in terms of public safety and in terms of the bloomington police,.

C

Department, do we successfully hire and effectively.

C

Retain the right people, not just officers, not.

C

Just positions, but are we able to attract the kinds of officers that fit our community values? The second question: do we, as council.

C

Members do everything we can to ensure that the.

C

People we do hire can be successful in serving this.

C

Community, do they have the resources they need? Do they do they have a toolkit from which to draw, and that may.

C

Include, and that goes beyond just equipment that also goes to.

C

The presence of a social worker, perhaps.

C

Do we give them what they need to serve our community in a way that is.

C

Consistent with our values here and then my third question: do they do we.

C

Hold them accountable when they don't what procedures, what processes are in.

C

Place to hold officers accountable um when they don't serve this community.

C

In the way they should so those are the three questions shaping my thinking.

C

um As we go forward again, I am grateful to my colleagues. I've learned from your.

C

Questions I'm grateful to everyone who spoke tonight um because.

C

You are informing a very important discussion, so thank you. Thank you very much um being the chair.

B

um I'll have final comments. However, what I'm going to do is.

B

Feed my time I do believe the deputy clerk has five.

B

Public comments remaining so I'll give up my time in order to hear from these.

B

Five folks and then we will, in the meeting after that um again we're trying to maintain the two-hour time limit.

B

um I do am sorry that we didn't get to everyone.

B

But um I think this will be the the best thing that I can do as chair.

B

So deputy clerk will you please proceed sure rm uh renee. I believe.

H

Is next and they should be unmuted.

AF

um Hello uh jared hello, renee, I'm sorry renee. Can you state your full.

B

Name, please. Yes, it's renamed miller. Thank you. Thank.

AF

You for giving us time to go ahead and speak. I actually wrote my comments.

AF

In the comments- and I am hoping that you all get them.

AF

um From the meeting host had as they said, that.

AF

uh They would pass them on to the writing.

AF

I think uh chief decoff uh is well aware of what I'm going to share now, because.

AF

This was shared back during the farmers market, with not only the mayor, but with.

AF

Him um many of us at that farmers market.

AF

Watched as many of his officers while patrolling.

AF

Gave uh three percenters and nod kudos thumbs up as well as the white.

AF

Supremacists with no um no concern.

AF

For us uh whatsoever, so there's that so it's disingenuous to.

AF

Say that there are no white suprema or no racist uh officers.

AF

On the force, I'm not saying all of them are, but there certainly are.

AF

Some we saw them so there's that um and I lost track.

AF

After I wrote it all out to you folks, so my apologies for.

AF

That um we have been asking and still have not.

AF

Heard from you counsel um or the police department.

AF

About whether or not you will be doing the blm training.

AF

We would at least like it to answer we've been asking for a month, if not two.

AF

I don't think it's a lot to ask for that answer to be public.

AF

And thank you if you could do that, we would all appreciate it.

AF

And I just yield my time. Thank you. I appreciate you.

B

Thank you for your comments, ms miller. If you sent those comments to us, we will.

B

Get them thank you. Who's next, uh miss mcdowell.

H

Next is e-money and they should be unmuted.

AG

Here uh I'll just go on counselor. uh Can you state your full.

AG

Name, please, oh sorry, edward lennon! Thank you.

AG

uh Again, I was just saying I think: bpd has a definite disadvantage at retaining.

AG

Officers they they do have some fine officers.

AG

There, but uh you know, policing nationwide is.

AG

uh It's a struggle to get people to apply now, because you know.

AG

Which is understandable, because why would anybody want to be.

AG

A cop and get you know berated by people like they do.

AG

But um so yeah just speak to that point and then uh my final comment.

AG

uh I just think it's quite hilarious that you know when the.

AG

The the people were in town saturday evening and they.

AG

Drove down to hammy's house, the first thing he did was call the police, because.

AG

He was scared of the people outside. That's that's my comment. Thank you for.

AG

uh Seating, your time counselor sims, to allow some additional public comments. It.

B

Was my pleasure, thank you for your comments.

B

Who do we have next? Mrs mcdowell, theo bingham.

H

And they should be on hi, um I'm thiel bingham resident.

AH

Of bloomington, can you hear me we sure can thank you.

AH

First, I just want to say that if the chief of police cannot speak.

AH

Clearly about systemic racism and its effects on his department.

AH

It's clear to me that the training that they are receiving is inadequate.

AH

To make the kinds of statements that he did, whether they were in error or not.

AH

Shows that he does not understand implicit bias.

AH

And systemic racism, and that he needs better training.

AH

Let alone that of his officers. I think that an outside organization, a third.

AH

Party should be determining the materials and the presenters of that.

AH

Training blm bloomington is a great resource as.

AH

Well, as many others and many iu professors who could help.

AH

Contribute to better training for our community, the.

AH

Second thing: I want to speak to um susan sandberg touched on the fact.

AH

That social workers or and police, neither social workers nor.

AH

Police can solve the route of crime. That is the actual problem.

AH

That we are here to talk about, they can't solve it.

AH

That's why they are not doing an adequate job of protecting.

AH

Communities in poverty, communities of color or.

AH

Our community as a whole as daniel referenced in the clearance rates.

AH

We need to divert money from the police department.

AH

And fund initiatives that can work on the root problems, not just social work,.

AH

But housing and various resources, like many other people, have referenced.

AH

That will reduce the perceived need for police, reduce crime.

AH

Which will end up protecting the police officers that so many people are.

AH

Concerned about, as well as the community as whole as a.

AH

Whole and will make everyone safer. Thank you.

B

Thank you for your comments. uh Do who do we have next? Mrs mcdowell,.

H

uh Committee chair: that's it for first round speakers. There are two.

H

Additional people with their hands raised um actually we're at 801.

B

um So we've had our time and if there are no more.

B

First rounders, um I think, um we've at least met that objective. This.

B

Evening um as the chair.

B

um I did have final comments, but I seated my time to.

B

Hear from the remaining council members.

B

And I will make those comments known later when there's an opportunity so.

B

Again, I want to thank my committee chair members, chief decoff for being here. um Yes, I'm sorry, mr lucas, I'm I'm sorry to.

G

Interrupt, I I don't know if the clerk can correct me.

G

If I'm wrong, I believe uh kel's iphone is a is a first round.

G

Commenter- um and I know uh I believe, she's better.

G

For quite some time, I thought we had at iphone at the.

B

First round, am I incorrect on that uh there may have been someone else with.

G

A similar screen name, um I know a lot of folks uh log in as.

G

Iphones, so um I I believe this particular commenter.

G

Has had her hand raised for quite some time and.

B

Okay, I think we can allow that- and this will be the last.

B

Commenter for this evening and in advance thank everyone, including.

B

The public for being here this evening, um miss mcdowell. Can you.

B

Unmute this kel's iphone thank you should be unmuted now. Thank you for.

B

Waiting. Thank you no problem. I understand the.

AI

Confusion, um yes, a similar name talked, but I hadn't so.

AI

um Thanks for responding my comment, um I just wanted to say so. Many people have.

AI

Echoed jw here um who, um yes, I think.

F

Could you I'm really sorry to interrupt? Could you state your full name for the.

F

Record please: yes, it's kel t um and so.

AI

Again, um jw wealth of knowledge, huge asset to our community, um and I.

AI

Just want to say that it seems pretty ridiculous to me that.

AI

Black lives matter who jw is is very connected with and.

AI

Involved with hasn't yet been hired for the training that they've been offering.

AI

For quite some time now, um and they do need to be paid for that.

AI

Work like absolutely, and so I just want to say, I'm confused- why that hasn't.

AI

Happened yet and that I think that, in my opinion, dkos.

AI

Statement today demonstrates the need exactly for why.

AI

That training is needed. It's a patently absurd statement to say.

AI

That there's no institutional racism in bpd when they arrest 400 times.

AI

The rate of black people than white people for the possession of marijuana.

AI

So it's exactly the same crime and when 24 of the use of forces against.

AI

Black people, which I'm not sure of the exact percentage of the community, that's black, but it is far lower than that. That is hugely disproportionate.

AI

So obviously, there's an immense amount of unconscious bias.

AI

And both the chief of police, as well as the rest of the police department, which.

AI

Is incredibly dangerous in fact more dangerous in many ways than explicit.

AI

Racism which research supports, because we have to be aware of our.

AI

Racism in order to identify it when it's showing up for us that we can choose to.

AI

Act in a different way, otherwise we're governed and controlled by those biases and prejudices, which leads inherently to violence, or at least complicity in white supremacy.

AI

And so it's clear that so much work needs to be done in this and that's one.

AI

Example of the way that funds traditionally routed to police.

AI

Could be rerouted and these defunding efforts.

AI

Is by getting these trainings to our to our government, for example, your city.

AI

Council, I also want to respond to someone earlier who said was talking about suicide by cop and the dangers of.

AI

I'm not even sure what exactly they're saying suicide by cop can't exist if.

AI

There are an abundance of cops and in the streets that people know are.

AI

Going to shoot them if they engage with them in any way and.

AI

Particularly, engage in anything perceived as a threatening way.

AI

um And then, finally, I just I've said this numerous times at many different.

AI

Council meetings, these rules of order and the way these.

AI

Meetings are structured, is so inaccessible, for so many people.

AI

And leads to immense lack of accountability, because we don't.

AI

Hear back we say these things about chief decough or about the city council.

AI

And there's no even opportunity to respond back, let alone mandate that.

AI

That's done so we talk and talk and talk and then y'all make whatever decisions.

AI

You make kelty thank I'm sorry, you're out of time. Thank.

AI

You nope that's great thanks. I'm sorry thank you meeting host. I.

B

Missed you there for a second um again, I would like to thank everyone.

B

This evening, for being here, um the only comments I will make is that.

B

We will move forward with continued.

B

Meetings um there has been some other suggestions that I couldn't get to tonight that I think will bear fruit moving on to the forward and we will share that with you as soon as we.

B

Can to the general public! Thank you all and have a good night.

A

A