Erie County residents press council to fully fund Human Relations Commission, body cameras and community programs
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Summary
At a public budget hearing, a steady stream of Erie County residents urged the council to reverse proposed cuts — especially a reported $1 allocation for the Human Relations Commission — and to fund body-worn cameras for county law enforcement and local community programs; no formal vote occurred during the hearing.
Erie County residents urged county leaders at a public budget hearing to restore and increase funding for the Human Relations Commission (HRC), expand body-worn cameras for county law enforcement, and maintain support for community centers and homeless services.
Art Leopold, an Erie resident, asked the council to "fully fund" the HRC and suggested Diverse Erie deserved "maybe of a million and a half dollar worth of funding," saying the organization reaches an important segment of the county. "Every dollar you spend is connected to somebody out there," Leopold said while urging attention to homelessness and programs such as the Mercy Center for Women, which he said had "a backlog of, like, 70 women" waiting for services.
Multiple residents said the county executive’s proposed HRC allocation — repeatedly described during the hearing as $1 — is insulting to marginalized communities. "The current proposal of $1 for funding the HRC is incredibly insulting to all survivors of discrimination," said Will Swick, a Mill Creek resident. Carlos Mora pointed to high voter turnout and said the figure "shows a lack of leadership" from County Executive Brenton Davis.
Speakers also pushed for funding for local community organizations and services. Bridal Teffern recommended reallocating the economic development line item (cited in the hearing as $728,000) to help fund the HRC, Booker T. Washington Center repairs and youth programs. Marty Wachiku called for more money for community centers, expanded staffing and infrastructure, and for body cameras so both the public and officers are protected.
Several attendees described the HRC as an overstretched office that provides essential advocacy. "They were swamped at the office at a point in time, and then it closed," said Deonte Quilly, an Erie resident who recounted friends who were unable to obtain timely assistance. Quilly asked the council to fund HRC and Diverse Erie and to require collaboration between programs to avoid duplicative services.
On law enforcement accountability, residents recommended a countywide policy on body cameras, with some suggesting phased implementation starting with county probation and sheriff’s offices. Cindy Treiber, from Edinboro, referenced a recent incident and argued that consistent camera use protects both the public and good officers: "If there's nothing to hide, why are we hiding?"
In response to the public comments, the meeting facilitator said the seven officials reviewing the budget intend to address the concerns raised and signaled that HRC and DEI staffing are priorities. "There's no way that we're not gonna fund that. Trust me," the facilitator said, but no formal motion or vote on budget changes occurred during the hearing.
The hearing concluded with reflections on food insecurity and SNAP benefits; the facilitator said county leaders will continue working on budget decisions in upcoming deliberations. The public budget hearing was then adjourned.
