Residents press Erie council for civilian police review board and more transparency from district attorney after recent incidents
November 06, 2025 | Erie, Erie County, Pennsylvania
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Two residents used the public-comment period on Nov. 5 to press council for a civilian police review board and for clearer communication from the district attorney's office regarding an ongoing investigation.
Deonte Cooley, a lifelong Erie resident, congratulated recently reelected council members and called explicitly for a civilian police review board. "There are concerned people in the city of Erie with credentials and the background who would be interested in seeing a citizen police review board," Cooley said, urging council to include community members with relevant expertise. He told council he has discussed the idea with local retired law-enforcement and education leaders who said they would volunteer to serve.
Robert Tacos raised pedestrian- and sidewalk-safety concerns and pressed the council for assistance in a criminal case he identified as "Justice for Jell O." "What is taking this district attorney so long? It is ridiculous," Tacos said, urging the council to communicate with the DA's office where possible and to provide support to affected families.
Several council members acknowledged the requests and said they are reviewing whether the city can legally create a civilian police oversight body. One council member noted a draft ordinance is currently with the solicitor for legal review and that the council's priority is to avoid passing a measure that is not legally sound. Council members also urged the district attorney to provide what communications are legally permissible to ease community tensions while an investigation continues.
Council did not take formal action on a civilian oversight body during the meeting. The matter remains in the legal-review stage and council members said they intend to continue discussions with staff and the solicitor before returning to the dais with any ordinance or proposal.
Deonte Cooley, a lifelong Erie resident, congratulated recently reelected council members and called explicitly for a civilian police review board. "There are concerned people in the city of Erie with credentials and the background who would be interested in seeing a citizen police review board," Cooley said, urging council to include community members with relevant expertise. He told council he has discussed the idea with local retired law-enforcement and education leaders who said they would volunteer to serve.
Robert Tacos raised pedestrian- and sidewalk-safety concerns and pressed the council for assistance in a criminal case he identified as "Justice for Jell O." "What is taking this district attorney so long? It is ridiculous," Tacos said, urging the council to communicate with the DA's office where possible and to provide support to affected families.
Several council members acknowledged the requests and said they are reviewing whether the city can legally create a civilian police oversight body. One council member noted a draft ordinance is currently with the solicitor for legal review and that the council's priority is to avoid passing a measure that is not legally sound. Council members also urged the district attorney to provide what communications are legally permissible to ease community tensions while an investigation continues.
Council did not take formal action on a civilian oversight body during the meeting. The matter remains in the legal-review stage and council members said they intend to continue discussions with staff and the solicitor before returning to the dais with any ordinance or proposal.
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