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Board defends community policing line item after public questioning of uses
Summary
A public commenter questioned a $210,000 community policing line in the FY2024 CRA budget as not 'innovative'; the mayor and board members defended programs such as Community First and local policing partnerships and approved the consent agenda item after a motion supporting staff recommendation.
A public commenter during the May 15 CRA meeting questioned a $210,000 community policing line in the FY2024 CRA budget and urged the board to ensure the money funded "innovative community policing" as required by statute. Taylor Norris Barlow addressed the board during agenda public comment, naming activities funded by the line item including "Snow cone and cops program, crime watch meetings, crime prevention training, extra patrols, and public safety cameras," and said, "there's nothing innovative about anything on this list." Barlow asked the CRA to better target the funds. Mayor (name not specified) responded during the consent-item discussion that he disagreed with that assessment and defended the Community First program and other efforts. He said, "I think our community policing efforts are working. They are one tool in the toolbox of a holistic approach to violent crime in our community. I am very proud of our Community First program." The mayor moved to accept staff recommendation on the pulled consent item 5.01 and the motion passed on an affirmative voice vote. Why it matters: The exchange clarified that community members are scrutinizing how CRA community policing funds are spent and that elected officials publicly support current programs; the board formally approved the consent item after brief debate.
