Redundancy

It’s the Same Old Song, but with different people

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On Saturday, September 7, 2019 I attended what was to be a Special Screening and Community Discussion of When They See Us, or so I thought.  Unfortunately, there was no screening of “When They See Us Now”, that was fine.  As for, the community discussion it left a lot to be desired, my take away was REDUNDANCY!!

As the meeting progressed and speakers came and went they all echoed stories similar to those of other organizations.  Which was beginning to turn me off, until the following topics were raised such as: a) the need for police to wear body cams and the lack of support from our elected officials to impose this public safeguard against harassment, excessive force, etc, 2), 3) county executive and states attorney covering police involved in planting evidence specifically guns for strengthen their cases, and 4) the lack of reentry programs in the county. 

Which intrigued me, for several reasons starting with the fact that I supported them for their current office, and was appalled that accusations were made of wrong doing in their absence, they should have been there and accusations made to their faces.  Without the facts, I can’t make a decision one way or the other.  However, I do agree that there should be better programs for P.G. citizens returning to society from incarceration.   I thought were there to hear recommendations on what we as John Q citizens can do to put these people back on the right track, instead received assignments to discuss (by table number)what we perceived to be problems and recommend viable solutions for them.  Turned off by this, I was preparing to leave, until an opportunity to meet someone whom I was honored to change information with his name by the name of Dr. William (Flip) Clay, a very interesting character one that shot straight from the hip which to say the least was a refreshing change.  I left there thinking that he would be instrumental in assisting my non-profit in accomplishing our goal which as it turns out he and I had in common.

1. As I see it, some of the solutions to reduce recidivism could be: a) ear mark funds for at least 4 half-way houses, once for each regional area in the county, b) viable programs to train these individuals towards self-empowerment which can lead to self-employment, and, c) create self-awareness programs in elementary and secondary schools.

2. Solutions to curtail police corruption, the brutal annihilation of our youth, poor disenfranchised citizens would be: a) earmark funds for body cams, b) mandate semi-annual drug test of officers, c) perform annual psychiatric exams on officers, d) mandatory termination of employment for two excessive force complaints, and finally, e) change the composition of the Citizen Complaint Oversight Panel to include only citizens, and include at least 2 citizens on the Citizens’ Complaint Board.

Part II coming soon, anyone wishing to add their comments or story can do so at our contact us page