Speakers urge action on alleged police misconduct and racial bias during public comment

During public comment two residents told the Dayton City Commission they had concerns about police conduct and racial bias and asked officials to help pursue their complaints.

Public comment is a forum for citizens to raise concerns directly with commissioners; the commission did not take formal action during the public-comment period but acknowledged the speakers and asked staff to record their concerns.

David Woods of 3230 Lakeview Avenue described a series of incidents he said involved his father and alleged failures by police in neighboring jurisdictions to communicate with a civil-rights commissioner. Woods said, "I feel that the chief of police of Inglewood is racist because he won't do that," and urged the public and media to contact local officials to press the matter. He told the commission the Ohio State Medical Board was investigating the hospital involved in the incident.

Darryl (spelled Dorel in the record) Lee, who gave an address beginning "19 o 3 Easter," told the commission he and his children face difficulties and uneven enforcement of rules, and asked why some public employees are not held to the same standards. He said, "Why we always gotta follow the rules because we black?"

Commissioners thanked the speakers for coming and asked staff to record their comments. No additional detail, evidence or formal complaint filings were recorded on the commission floor during the meeting; commissioners and staff directed speakers to stay after the meeting and provided contact follow-up for staff review.

The commission did not vote or direct a formal investigation during the public-comment period; staff were asked to note the remarks and follow up as appropriate.