Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
26 <br /> Commissioners Mark Dorosin and Mark Marcoplos recently shared the attached resolution with <br /> other Board members and suggested the Board might want to discuss this topic and potential <br /> consideration of the attached resolution. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said the resolution speaks for itself, and the Board should take a <br /> vote and make a commitment. He said it is critical that the Board take a position on whether or <br /> not it wants to do this. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin read the resolution: <br /> A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A COMMUNITY PUBLIC FORUM TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF <br /> POLICING AND RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY IN ORANGE COUNTY <br /> WHEREAS, the residents of Orange County, North Carolina are committed to discussing and <br /> addressing issue of structural racism, inclusion, racial equity, and the continuing legacy of racial <br /> segregation and discrimination in this community; and <br /> WHEREAS, on June 2, 2020, the Board of County Commissioners adopted "A Resolution <br /> denouncing the murder of George Floyd and addressing the health director's declaration of <br /> structural racism as a "public health crisis" in Orange County" and committed to working to <br /> dismantling structural racism; and <br /> WHEREAS across the nation local governments and the communities they represent are <br /> engaging in a wide-ranging review of police policies and practices in light of these tragic events, <br /> and <br /> WHEREAS Orange County places a high priority on community engagement, participation, and <br /> transparency; and <br /> WHEREAS unlike municipalities in our state, which directly control their police departments, the <br /> Sheriff is an independently elected official under the North Carolina Constitution and the <br /> Sheriff's Office is an independent county agency, but by this resolution seeks it's partnership in <br /> addressing these issues. <br /> NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners will <br /> conduct a community public forum to discuss issues of policing and racial justice and equity in <br /> Orange County, and <br /> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners will request <br /> that the Sheriff and the Sheriff's Office be a full and equal partner with the BOCC in planning, <br /> organizing, and leading the forum. <br /> This, the 16th Day of June, 2020. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin said Orange County is not a city, and the Sheriff is not their <br /> Board's employee. He said it is incumbent of this Board to do this. <br /> A motion was made by Commissioner Dorosin, seconded by Commissioner Marcoplos <br /> for the Board to approve the resolution calling for such a community policing forum. <br />