Butch/Simmons: Community Not Appeased with the Creation of the Equity Committee
Stronger, More Definitive Action Needed, candidates say
To the Editor, Asbury Park Sun:
After almost two years of asking for action, the Mayor and Council responded to community concerns of aggressive police behavior not by creating a requested Civilian Complaint Review Board, but by creating an ad hoc Equity Committee. Deputy Mayor Quinn and Councilwoman Clayton presented the plans on September 9th. Community members are frustrated at the lengthy process, and at being offered more analysis rather than accountability. Tragically, while waiting, two people lost their lives in encounters with the Asbury Park police. What has been asked for repeatedly, and what is needed, is a Civilian Complaint Review Board.
Deputy Mayor Quinn and Councilwoman Clayton decided on the Equity Committee after discussions with representatives of Highland Park and Metuchen, very different communities than Asbury Park. The median household income in Highland Park is $80,000, in Metuchen is $124,000 and Asbury Park is $39,000. Unlike Highland Park and Metuchen, Asbury Park has a larger minority and non-native English-speaking population, and we are majority non-white.
It would have made more sense to research and speak to representatives from Jersey City and Newark. Both cities are actively seeking solutions to the issue of over policing. Mayor Baraka in Newark closed an entire precinct and replaced it with a social service center. In Asbury Park, 22% of our budget goes to the police, while 1.5% goes to Health and Human Services covering recreation, social services and senior services.
Our society criminalizes people of color, the poor, the addicted, and the mentally ill. As police departments throughout become more militarized, more civilians lose their lives unnecessarily with impunity. Police Departments need oversight and reform. Communities need services.
Historically, the request for a Civilian Complaint Review Board was first brought to the Mayor of Asbury Park in 1970 during the time of civil unrest. In June, almost 50 years later, 10,000 people attended a rally also asking for change. We need to make that change, and we need definitive leadership and the political will to do so. It is long overdue.
Kerry Butch and Felicia Simmons
Candidates for Asbury Park City Council
Timeline:
February 18, 2019–Community members meet seeking dialogue with police that addresses aggressive police practices. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor Quinn pledge to research options.
July 23, 2019 –James Manzo, in crisis, is shot and killed by police in his room at the Asbury Inn.
November 2019 –The Council surveys residents asking, “Does Asbury Park need a Human Rights Council?” Results are never made public.
June 2, 2020 –10,000 people attend a rally in Asbury Park spurred by George Floyd being murdered by police during an arrest for a petty crime.
August 21, 2020 –Hasani Best is shot and killed by police on Fourth Avenue responding to a domestic violence call.
September 9, 2020- The City of Asbury Park creates an Equity Committee.
September 23, 2020– Hasani Best’s mother, Carol Sanders states, “They didn’t have to take his life.”
[Photo at top: Felicia Simmons (left) and Kerry Butch]
[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]
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