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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Materials - Ad Hoc Community Impact Committee - 04/26/2021 - Fort Collins Parity Position StatementPosition Statement (PS) 21M04 AHCIC Introduction Fort Collins Parity (FCP) is a Fort Collins organization whose mission is to seek parity in the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), including parity in social and environmental equity. FCP created a Leadership Council (FCP-LC) to communicate the community’s concerns. The FCP-LC is submitting this Position Statement (PS) to the AHCIC in advance of their final meeting on Apr26, in hopes for adding to their discoveries in prior monthly meetings over the last year. Note in the AHCIC 2nd meeting, there is an excellent presentation on all the duties of the FCPD. There is a deep appreciation for their service to community. Any advisory suggestion from FCP is made with respect, and in the hope for improvements in citizen safety and equitable treatment. This Position Statement will be stored on the FCP website, and a PDF copy of the Position Statement attached to an email sent to the AHCIC Committee members, thru a FCGOV contact. The mechanics for a complete package from FCP will include copies of the email and some additional background, but due to constraints in time and manpower and technical prowess, some of the related products associated with PS-21M04 might be delayed. This Position Statement offers ideas about police reform and about an underlying problem, the lack of Public Participation (P2). These two local impacts are being offered to the committee, but hopefully not to dramatize a fraction of the concerns of the day, but to keep moving forward with sound policy and dedicated funding. Position Statement (PS) 21M04 AHCIC POLICE reform The FCP-LC asks the AHCIC to consider these reforms: o The verbal command (or ensuing actions) by an officer for compliance must not exceed the threat, and must also offer assistance, like an escort home, if compliance is denied. Consider if Elijah McClain were offered an escort home, rather than the actions taken due to noncompliance, especially considering the nature of the “crime”. o From a POLITICO article quote “the rights of officers will not be held above the rights of individuals”. o All FCGOV employees must follow FCGOV policy, or be subject to termination. o The FOP union cannot override FCGOV policy, or defend with FOP funds, an employee whose actions defy stated FCGOV policy. Given recent developments in police reform, it would be a benefit to the community, and be instructional to the Council, if the AHCIC members were to provide their reaction to Colorado SB20-217 (signed), to HB21-1250 (in committee), and to the verdict against Derek Chauvin. How might these events affect the AHCIC’s report to Council, plus the City’s policy on police? Position Statement (PS) 21M04 AHCIC Public Participation (P2) The FCP-LC believes strongly that institutional racism will persist unless the community is actively engaged in the political process. Within the FCGOV organization, is an underutilized department titled Communications and Public Involvement (CPIO). The FCL-LC suggests that the CPIO expand its duties to include a repository for Public Participation (P2), and a landing spot for a variety of participants, and to engage with policy organizations like FCP’s LC. P2 unknowns: What is the best timing for P2, where does a P2 offer land at FCGOV, where can one advise a friend or organization to find their contribution, where is there a cross reference to demonstrate if policy was affected, and the response from the recipient? P2 related budget quotes: o BFO teams and outreach process and how to make this as accessible as possible. o Process is such a barrier for folks. o How would Community member know to give ideas at the strategic plan level? Staff working on increased outreach and information on the Strategic Plan process and timeline. Regarding P2 in today’s world, there were challenges before the pandemic, and has evolved into more ways to communicate, which also means more ways to exclude. Phones no longer answer in preference for VM. Emails go unanswered. Video chat is not accessible to all, and hardly a good replacement for a meeting room full of eager participants. Link to FCGOV CPIO: https://www.fcgov.com/communications/ Position Statement (PS) 21M04 AHCIC Conclusion The FCP-LC gathers recent and historical data to share with the community, but consists of unpaid volunteers whose role is to advise as best suits the moment. The FCP-LC relies more on the good intentions of sharing information for the improvement of policy for the community, and further relies on the message landing in the hands of those who will lead past the recommendations set forth. As part of sharing, the FCP-LC hopes for feedback on whether its message was received, whether the message was found useful, and where the response can be found. Sharing is an important part of Public Participation (P2), and the forum under which policy is best formed. Another part of sharing is to allow the public ample time to contribute, thus the FCP-LC hopes for a public announcement of the report to Council, and encouragement from the public to provide feedback. Two local impacts, police reform and Public Participation, are shared with this PS, in appreciation for much work to come on climate change. Both the local and world leaders must maintain constant effort in order to meet the challenges of the future. Effective Public Participation is critical to create a resilient community. Find this document at: http://focoparity.org/ahcic-ps/ submitted via email on April 23 2021. FCGOV is a Colorado registered Trademark through the Kabuski Institute, LLC.