Residents press council on policing, alleged officer misconduct and camera use

Several Harrisburg residents used the public-comment portion of the April 22 City Council meeting to press elected officials on policing, police-community relations, and city surveillance systems.

Brandon Basem said city officers removed his vehicle license plate after a recent traffic stop and urged the council to review whether citations should be dismissed where residents were left without plates; he said he had privilege to address the matter but worried less-resourced residents could be harmed by similar enforcement. Toby Soha, who identified himself as living at a homeless encampment near PennDOT, said a friend’s $2,000 e-bike had been stolen in front of the downtown courthouse and that police had not taken effective follow-up; Soha questioned whether the city should invest in additional cameras if existing cameras are not being reviewed by police.

Several speakers raised broader concerns about public safety and policing. Resident Lisa Harden said she was fearful for her life and that repeated gunplay among youths made her unsafe at home. Melanie Cook described a 2½-hour delay on the non-emergency line during a loose-dog incident and said slow responses to ‘‘everyday’’ calls undermined trust. Robert Williams, speaking on behalf of Capital Heights residents, cited demographic and disciplinary concerns: he said black residents make up 47% of the city’s population while black officers constitute 11% of the force, and he named two officers — Officer Mark Howe II and Corporal Esteban Restrepo — as defendants in federal civil lawsuits alleging excessive force, including a 2023 incident now litigated in Watkins v. Howe. Williams called on council to demand transparency on complaints and disciplinary outcomes.

Council President Bowers and staff acknowledged the public comments and pointed speakers to administrative contacts; no formal disciplinary actions or investigations were announced during the meeting. Several councilmembers urged follow-up with the administration and said appropriate data and responses could be provided through the mayor’s office or public-safety staff.

Speakers proposed a range of next steps, including clearer public reporting on officer complaints and outcomes, faster non-emergency response, and better coordination about camera use and evidence review. Residents were encouraged to contact Public Safety staff (Dwayne Bender was named as the courthouse surveillance contact) and to pursue formal complaints where appropriate.