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23 <br /> Ayes, 4 (Commissioner Greene, Commissioner Bedford, Commissioner Price, <br /> Commissioner McKee); Nays, 3 (Chair Rich, Commissioner Marcoplos, Commissioner <br /> Dorosin) <br /> MOTION PASSES <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner McKee, seconded by Commissioner Bedford for <br /> original motion with amendment included <br /> Ayes, 4 (Commissioner Bedford, Commissioner Greene, Commissioner, Price <br /> Commissioner McKee); Nays, 3 (Commissioner Price, Commissioner Marcoplos, <br /> Commissioner Dorosin) <br /> MOTION PASSES <br /> 7. Reports <br /> a. Report from Sheriff Charles Blackwood on Policing, Racial Justice, and Equity in <br /> Orange County <br /> The Board received a report on the Sheriff's efforts to achieve more equitable policing. <br /> BACKGROUND: <br /> Against the backdrop of the devastating deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and David <br /> McAtee, the topic of equity and racial justice in policing has come in to sharp focus on both the <br /> national and local stages. Sheriff Blackwood will address the Commissioners about the efforts <br /> of the Sheriff's Office to build community trust, address implicit bias, and identify and implement <br /> best practices to address racial disparities in policing. <br /> Sheriff Blackwood said recent events have shocked the community. He said this is the <br /> first time society has seen slow motion action before its very eyes. He said it was painful, and <br /> many are asking what is being done locally to make sure similar things do not happen here. He <br /> said, as a law enforcement leader, he must acknowledge that he is a part of systemic racism. <br /> He said his department has made, and continues to make, positive changes, and much great <br /> work has been done. He said many residents may not know about this good work, and he <br /> welcomes the newly generated interested in making long lasting change to prevent further <br /> murders. He said Orange County is doing well, but he knows this can change in an instant. <br /> Sheriff Blackwood said there has been discussion about defunding law enforcement, <br /> and it is important to note that Orange County began diverting funds years ago to the <br /> Community Resource Court, which was new, innovative, and many were skeptical of its <br /> success. He said it has proven itself to be an excellent process. He said it is a different, and <br /> positive, experience. He said there are going to be sweeping changes in the courts. He said <br /> the changes will be good, but will be uncomfortable for many. He said Orange County has <br /> invested in its court system, all of which occurred because of partnerships and re-directing <br /> funding that was going to his office to these court programs instead. He said law enforcement <br /> is not trained and equipped to handle all social problems, and it is better to let those who are <br /> trained should be handling mental health, drug addiction, etc. He said he brought in verbal judo <br /> de-escalation two years ago, and made it available to all County employees, as well as law <br /> enforcement throughout the state. He said there is peer support within the jails, which spread <br /> to emergency rooms, and allows people to support each other. He said pre-trial supervision <br />