A collaborative strategy to address racism in public safety

The global pandemic calls attention to the dire impact of structural racism on Africanamericans who are disproportionately the victims of COVID-19. Blacks are more likely to be exposed to the coronavirus because their living and working situations make it more difficult to socially distance. They perish in greater numbers than others because stresses bearing down on those living in poverty make them more susceptible to complicating medical conditions such as high blood pressure. Africanamericans have less access to affordable, quality health care. With schools closed, the effects of structural racism on education are exposed as disadvantaged urban children have less access to distance learning tools than their suburban counterparts. Structural racism in the criminal justice system renders incarcerated populations, disproportionately minorities, helpless targets of the infectious disease.

Crisis heightens the insidious effects of unchecked structural racism, requiring bold leadership. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins, Albany County District Attorney David Soares and Albany

Common Council President Corey Ellis have before them a unique opportunity to address structural racism in Albany’s public safety system. A recently released report by the Center for Law and Justice, “Structural Racism and Public Safety in Albany,” describes how a government/ community partnership can con

front Albany’s structural racism problem, culminating in a “Recommitment to Community Policing” symposium in the fall.

The Center for Law and Justice will issue a “Public Safety Report Card” in September, awarding each of the four officials letter grades based on responses to questions posed by the center during the coming months. Initial letters were sent to the four officials in early April, each posing several questions regarding structural racism. For example, one question for the mayor is whether she will deem structural racism a public health crisis in Albany. The chief is asked if he will commit to having state officials investigate all police shootings. The district attorney is asked if he will recuse himself from the prosecution of all police shootings. The Common Council president is asked how he will improve the oversight capabilities of the Albany Community Police Advisory Committee.

The center has posted these initial letters and response summaries on its website, www.cflj.org. Follow-up questions and response summaries will be posted on a biweekly basis from early May through August, and the public will be invited to comment. This months-long government/ community dialogue will help set the stage for the “Recommitment to Community Policing” symposium.

Government/community collaboration is crucial to vanquishing formidable

public safety threats. New Yorkers are justifiably proud of the manner in which our state has handled the pandemic. By most accounts, Gov. Andrew Cuomo deserves an “A” in leadership as he shepherds New York through its COVID-19 nightmare. The governor candidly concedes the horrifying effects of the virus, pulling no punches in his reports including describing the disproportionate impact on communities of color. He acknowledges his responsibility to address the deadly disease, though he had no role in causing it. He marshals support from those who can help, rather than pointing accusatory fingers elsewhere. The governor calls upon all of us to sacrifice during this wearisome war, telling everyone their participation is vital.

Cuomo self-effacingly says he is doing his job.

Albany should use the governor’s collaborative model in our battle with structural racism. Government officials should concede the devastating effects that structural racism has on our public safety system; acknowledge their responsibility to address it, even though they may believe they had no role in fostering it; seek out resources that can help fight structural racism, refraining from pointing fingers; and work with their community to fight the scourge of structural racism. On behalf of the community, the center looks forward to partnering with government officials to host the “Recommitment to Community Policing” symposium in the fall. Like Gov. Cuomo, let’s all humbly do our jobs.