Residents picked for policing panel
A panel of city residents has been selected to examine policing matters in the city, according to Mayor Steve Noble.
Noble said that 10 Kingston residents have been named to the Re-envision Public Safety Task Force.
The task force is to team with the Peaceful Guardians Project in an effort to address “law enforcementcommunity relations, useof-force policies, procedural justice, systemic racial bias, and practices that may contribute to racial disparity in the community, among other issues,” according to a press release.
“The task force will review current police force policies, procedures, and practices, and develop a plan for any necessary improvements, with a focus on the needs of the community and fostering trust,” the announcement said.
The members selected to the task force are Beetle Bailey, Jimmy Buff, Andrea Callan, Raquel Derrick, Daniel Gruner, Donald Mapes Jr., David McNamara, Naimah Muhammad,
Manuel Blas Sanche and Amy Shapiro.
The Re-envision Public Safety Task Force will develop a comprehensive plan, which must be ratified by April 1, 2021.
The Re-envision Public Safety Task Force is scheduled to have meetings twice a month from September to March, which includes two public forums where the community can offer input and feedback. The public forums will be held on Oct. 28 and Dec. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with location details to be announced at a later date.
The Re-envision Public Safety Task Force will also include Kingston Police Police Chief Egidio Tinti, Common Council liaison Alderman Tony Davis, D-Ward 6, and Minya DeJohnette, a police commission member.
“I look forward to working with the individuals who were selected, each of which brings unique perspective and expertise to the table,” Noble said in a statement. “We had a strong response and recognize that this is an issue that many in our commu
nity are passionate about. This is a defining moment for the City, and will make sure there is ample opportunity for the greater public’s input as well.”
“We have assembled a great group of volunteers who are committed to tackling a complex issue with thoughtful dialogue,” Peaceful Guardians Project Executive Director Lester Strong said in the release. “We are all eager
to get started and begin these conversations that will have lasting impact on our community.”
Alderwoman Rita Worthington, D-Ward 4, said lawmakers will support the task force effort.
“The Special Policing Committee and Common Council look forward to supporting the Task Force in their endeavor to reimagine and re-envision public safety in our communities by continuing to explore innovative ways to obtain a more fair and equitable society,” Worthington said.