Systemic racism in Troy police to blame
The board of directors of the Justice Center of Rensselaer County was pleased to learn that the Thevenin family lawsuit against the city of Troy might soon be settled (“Troy may settle Thevenin suit,” July 28). We say that with some reservation, however.
We believe it should not be settled out of court unless the settlement is for the full dollar amount asked for in the original lawsuit. Given the five-plus years of coverup, the family deserves no less.
Some might argue that the city can’t afford such a settlement. Taxpayers might worry that taxes could go up as a result of the settlement. However, those concerns pale when compared to the police killing a husband and father of young sons. If the settlement is large, as it very well should be, and Troy’s taxes have to be increased, the blame for that increase will rest on the culture of systemic racism that exists in the Troy Police Department, something the former chief could never bring himself to acknowledge.
Indeed, the community may have to pay a high price for that racism and for years of not addressing it. We must now redouble our efforts to assure that meaningful police reform be implemented without delay. The Justice Center of Rensselaer County is dedicated to doing just that. Enough is enough.
Bob Blackmon
Finch lands. The terms of this purchase, including subsequent recreational use, were shaped by local governments. Roughly 95,000 acres were protected under conservation easements, not added to the Forest Preserve. The major recreational right purchased on the easement lands was for new snowmobile trails linking Indian Lake, Inlet, Newcomb and Long Lake. Private hunting camps were also retained.