Minutes 07-07-2020 Virtual Listening Session on Policing and Racial Justice in Orange County

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2 the only normal that is acceptable, is one where all are equal and brotherhood, peace and justice exist. She said she looks forward to further discussions and actions for change. Tomeka Ward—Satterfield said she appreciates this listening session, but says it feels like an empty gesture by the elected officials. She said she would prefer a study of systemic racism be conducted within the County, and the elected officials tell the community on how they plan to address the problems. Heather Redding thanked the BOCC for the opportunity to speak. She said issues of racism and white supremacy are baked into American culture, and she is greatly concerned. She said children must be safe in school, but she questions the validity of School Resource Officers (SROs). She asked if the BOCC would examine data regarding the success, or lack thereof, of SROs, and to work with the school boards to make necessary changes. She said the police cannot handle all issues, and funds should be better distributed. She asked the Sheriff's department to give $25,000 of its drug forfeiture funds to a local non-profit, as permitted by law. Jame Paulen thanked the Board for holding this session. She said she is concerned about police presence in schools, and asked if SROs are a good use of funds. She said funds could be better used in this time of Covid. She echoed the former speaker's comments about the Sheriff's forfeiture funds, and specifically suggested "Fathers on the Move" to receive these funds. Amelia Covington said police in schools sets a standard for the school to prison pipeline. She said CHCCS is not free from issues of racism, and has the second largest achievement gap in the country. She asked the BOCC to work with the school boards on alternative models of school safety, and echoed the request for the reallocation of Drug Forfeiture funds of $25,000. Kimberly Brewer said she is the Chair of Orange County Bail Bond Justice, a partnership of 12 local churches seeking to end unjust bail practices in the community. She said the partnership observes court practices, and has found the poor most adversely affected. She highlighted racial inequities within the bail hearing system as well. She said Orange County has made many reforms, but there is room for more. Anna Richards called to attention the article from the Northern Orange and Chapel Hill National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of a 6-point agenda for transformation in the community. She said this plan looks at many issues including hiring and retention of officers, expectations from Police, etc. She said these groups also support removing police from schools. She said upcoming conversations include the issue of "Counselors, Not Cops in Schools," and will include panelist from around the country. She said a 19-year-old woman was physically assaulted last week at a peaceful protest in Chapel Hill, and this is a sign that this community is also deeply affected by issues of racism. She said she hopes the BOCC will work toward change. Joseph Verykoukis said he is grateful for leaders such as Sheriff Blackwood and Cait Fenhagen, who are working towards equity. He said he finds a lot of the dialogue around police to be quite detrimental. He said calls to remove SROs from Schools does not sit well with him, as SROs serve students in a support role and keep students safe. He said it would be a mistake to remove them from the schools. He said there are many larger underlying issues that contribute to racism, and societal breakdowns. He said many concerns begin in childhood, and blaming police for all these issues is shortsighted. Horace Johnson said he is from Orange County, and was part of school integration in the 1960s. He said teachers were not trained or equipped to deal with individuals of color. He said the Sheriff is a smart man, but he wonders how law enforcement is being trained to work with people of color. He said he does not want to defund the police, but he would support reallocating some funds to those who are trained appropriately. He said his father was the mayor of Hillsborough for 12 years, and it is important to reach across the aisle to work