Tag Archives: Police Reform

Lunchtime Discussion – Reimagining Public Safety

Lunchtime Discussions, , , , , ,

The Anti-Racism, Equity and Justice (AREJ) Organizing Team invites you to our next Lunchtime Discussion on Wednesday, May 5 at noon.

This will be the first of a two part discussion on “Reimagining Public Safety”.

In this first session we will engage with what policing and public safety looks like now, in our community and for us personally, and how that informs, influences, and sometimes interferes in the discussion of “reforming”, “abolishing” or “defunding” our existing policing paradigm.

Our second session will deconstruct the origin and evolution of policing followed by a discussion about how public safety could be reimagined from the ground up, absent present-day paradigms and institutions.

We welcome you at either one or both!

Some readings of interest on this topic locally (written by Tiana Headley, Vassar ’22):
How the Poughkeepsie Police Union Tried to Defeat Reform
Uneven Police Reform Compliance Frustrates Mid-Hudson Communities

Opportunities for Action – July 2020

Action Opportunity, Community Initiatives, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW PRIORITIES FOR DUTCHESS

Despite financial crisis and looming layoffs, Dutchess County plans to begin construction of a new $200 million jail–one that would hold 328 people, when we currently have 140 in the jail. 

The county legislature will vote July 9 at 5:30 pm on whether to move forward with the project. Please join the community in a silent protest outside the County Office Building from 4 to 5:30PM and join 200 participants who will line up (6′ distant) on Market St. holding million-dollar signs, while others will bring signs expressing alternative budget priorities. Please bring a mask and a friend! 

Lead organizers of the event are the Democratic Caucus of the Dutchess County Legislature, the Progressive Black and Latino Caucus, and End the New Jim Crow Action Network (ENJAN) of Poughkeepsie. Other co-sponsors are Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson; Race Unity Circle; Stop the Violence; Celebrating the African Spirit; Beacon Prison Action; Justice for Aleesa; Dutchess County Progressive Action 

To voice your opinion before the vote:

https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/County-Legislature/Dutchess-County-Legislators.htm

Opportunities for Action – July 2020

Action Opportunity, Community Initiatives, Upcoming Community Events, , , , , ,

RIGHT TO KNOW ACT

ENJAN (End the New Jim Crow Action Network!) has been working with NYCLU to support the passage of the Right to Know Act (RTKA) in the City of Poughkeepsie. This law, which can be adopted by local and municipal governments, would require police officers stopping citizens to identify themselves and explain the reason for the stop. The idea behind the RTKA is that it would promote a conversation between civilians and law enforcement. Requiring officers to identify themselves and explain their actions promotes a more consistent, respectful, and community-minded approach to enforcement activities while also potentially reducing the likelihood that a routine police stop will turn violent.

The City of Poughkeepsie Common Council held a special legislative session on June 29th to advance business and dialogue toward policing reform and racial justice and a Hearing to receive public comment on July 6th.

All recordings of Poughkeepsie City Council, Committee and Special meetings can be found here: https://totalwebcasting.com/view/?id=cop

Background:

https://www.courtwatchdutchess.org/blog/2020/6/16/policing-in-america-making-police-more-transparent-and-accountable

To voice your opinion:

https://cityofpoughkeepsie.com/common-council/members