City to host three virtual sessions on racial injustice, policing reform

Leaders are seeking input from those who live and work in the city

To give residents a chance to suggest ways to tackle racial injustice and improve police-community relations, the city of Antioch is hosting three virtual Bridging the Gap meetings this month and next.

About 700 people spoke about those and related issues last summer, prompting the council to hire a consultant to run the meetings, which residents must register for to participate.

Mayor Lamar Thorpe initially suggested forming an ad hoc committee to discuss those matters and forward ideas to the full council, but by a split vote council members decided a series of community forums hosted by a moderator would be better.

“I hope to use the feedback that the community brings back for the pillars of our police reform package in March,” Thorpe told this news organization. “For example, body cameras is something that we could include.”

Following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May, communities across the nation — including Antioch — took to the streets to demand police reforms. In response, Antioch city leaders held town hall meetings and forums to consider changes.

After soliciting proposals, the city selected CNA, a nonprofit research group that helps public agencies deal with safety issues. Assistant City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore said CNA’s objective will be to obtain input from a broad section of the community, allow people to listen to one another and identify potential action steps.

Each session will run 90 minutes and be open to registered residents who live or work in Antioch. Council members and the mayor will be listeners only.

Following the three virtual meetings, which are limited to 75 participants each, the information will be collected and recommendations brought to the council, Bayon Moore said in late December.

The first meeting is set for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19. That discussion is to focus on methods of police oversight, the police conduct complaint and discipline process, and practices that can increase police transparency.

The second meeting on Feb. 6 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. is to focus on how recruitment, training, use of force and other police practices can disparately impact communities of color.

The third meeting, set for 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 18, is to focus on ways to improve police interaction with young people and vulnerable communities, how police could approach crime prevention and how communities impact policing priorities.

To participate, register online at antiochonthemove.com/city- of-antiochbridging-the-gap.