EastPAC Community Meeting
Thursday, May 24, 6:30 TO 8 PM
Seattle University’s Chardin Hall, Room 142
1020 East Jefferson-
(enter on 11th and Jefferson, park free in front of building)
In March of 2011, the US Department of Justice began an investigation of the Seattle Police Department, focusing on whether SPD “engaged in a practice of unconstitutional policing through the use of excessive force and/or discriminatory policing”. DOJ’s findings conclude that these deficiencies do in fact exist, particularly within a “subset of officers who use force improperly”. For the entire report, see: http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/spl/documents/spd_findletter_12-16-11.pdf
In response to the DOJ findings, the Mayor’s Office and Police Department released it’s own reform plan, “SPD 20/20 –“A VISION FOR THE FUTURE”, identifying 20 changes to be implemented in 20 months.
SPD’s Assistant Chief Mike Sanford will be presenting the 20/20 plan at our May 24th EastPAC meeting. Please review the plan before the meeting- http://www.seattle.gov/spd2020/ -and come prepared with questions, concerns, in support of or opposition to this plan, as well as additional suggestions for better policing.
Also, recently there have been concernsthat not everyone is able to share their issues because some attendees monopolize the community concerns component of our meetings. I am aware of this, and the Executive Board and I are working on strategies that provide opportunities for everyone to speak including limiting comments and questions to one minute, only one person speaks at a time and everyone speaks once before anyone speaks twice. Additionally, as we very much appreciate the generosity of Seattle University, who provide us with an accessible meeting space with free parking. In return, we must abide by their standards through respectful participation.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone next Thursday!
Stephanie Tschida, Chair
East Precinct Advisory Council