Community Policing Town Hall Meeting in Bayview, 9-4-05

African American Community Relations Policing Board, Town Hall meeting at Nation of Islam, 3rd St. SF
(mesha Monge-Irizarry, Idriss Stelley Foundation)
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9-4-05, the Mosque on SF 3rd Street is full to the rim !
Minister Chris Muhammad, President of the AACRPB galvanizes the crowd around the goals and purpose of AACRPB:

"We have 5 years of existence. As former Chief Earl Sanders told us once, the origin of the Police Department is the "Slave Catchers"!
(actually, Sanders heard it for the first time from me, director of Idriss Stelley Foundation at a Police Commission hearing in 2001....)
"The police has a way of policing People of Color, another way of policing the dominant culture. True Community policing is when the Community determines how they are going to be policed. "Serve and Protect" requires humility, respect, no preconceived notions... We know how it is NOT to be served ! Black, Latino, Pacific Islanders issues are one in the same, we rare family now ! The symbol of justice is a blindfolded woman, not supposed to see anything but principles, holding a scale that symbolizes Balance. The scale is tipped, unbalanced when the Poor and People of Color are at the wrong end of the scale. They become unbalanced, asocial, may take the law in their own hands if they don't feel the law is enforced justly. Why isn't the community moving forward? Lack of trust in "public servants", who sometimes are the perpetrators of these crimes ! Millions of dollars are spent in settlements in SF while the city suffers a budget crisis. We have a school where 15 yr. olds can tell you where to buy guns. How in the hell can Task Forces not have a clue? Somebody helps stir up conflicts! Somebody is perpetrating ! Somebody can't stop getting guns in the hands of babies, encouraging antisocial activity and liquor stores in every corner.... We know where the hot spots are, why can't we have officers posted at these 15 corners, there is a conspiracy, all over the country, the world! Big business people have determined that they want ethnic cleansing to proceed along with development through "sweeps".... We got to have a change. Change is good but scary if we are comfortable with the status quo. The Officers For Justice (OFJ) had the courage in the 60's to open the way fro Latinos and African Americans on the force. WE WILL CHANGE THE DEPARTMENT ! Police morale is affected? THE COMMUNITY'S MORALE IS AFFECTED!"

Minister Muhammad introduces the OFJ president, Julian Hill, who states:" History goes beyond us. Many people died for me to be here, we need to support Black, Latino and Asian officers anywhere in the Nation, support the Police Officers Association (POA) There has been an imbalance in our Department, and we cannot succeed without your support. (Minister Muhammad makes a joke for the crowd:"Have gun, will travel", I forgot to laugh....) "There are 213 Black officers on the force, no hiring of Black females for the past 3 years. 30 years ago, 200 Back officers in SF... When I retire in 13 years, there might be 50 or less Black officers on the force. Our community needs to apply to PD written test at the end of November!"

Sophie Maxwell, District 10 Supervisor steps up to the podium: "I am a public servant, I listen, try to bring you all the resources I can. My allegiance is to empower you through the Board of Supervisors. We are going to make sure that something happens, I need 5 other supervisors votes to pass legislation. Any Tuesday, take your 3 minutes in pubic comments, tell us how you want t be policed. I need all of you to help: not many Black people come to City Hall to hold us accountable. I pledge to take leadership from you, thank you!"

Minister Muhammad introduced the next speaker, director of AACRPB, MA, degree (recently ordained by Nation of Islam), "loved and respected by our community, nicknamed *Robocop* in the Mission District, Lt. Con Johnson who states: "We have to take a stand for what is right. I speak tonight as a humble servant, a gun at my side and a whole lot of faith". (addressing grieving mothers:) "I feel your pain" "We are on the verge of a hurricane of change, buckle down! Law and Community is a forced marriage, divorce is not an option We need mutual respect, and trust, honest communication and search for solutions. Let's put politics aside and get to work, the Law has to learn how to police itself. Among 88 SF homicides this year, 56
were young African American males... This is family to me.... I've been a cop for 19 years, but I have been Black all my life. Lets walk on the battlefield with courage! We need your participation. I am proud to be your humble servant, thank you!"

Ariel Vargas (RAP collaborative) has been a victim of police brutality but states he has met good people on the force "It's a healing challenge. I am still trying to heal. I am committed to be part of this struggle, encourage young Brothers to keep coming back to our meetings I have children. This is...my revenge....and my healing".
Rudy Corpuz Jr. (the "United Plaza") declares: "This is the Beaucoup Call ! I am a tax payer, Protect and Serve ME ! Change is way past due, PD is the biggest gang, shoot to kill ! It takes a grain of sand to move the Earth.... Stand up for the Truth ! Bang for Change!"
Sister Valerie from the Latino Community Policing Steering committee, honors "Our ancestors who survived, that's why we are here today. I tell my kids in GED class: you get pushed out of school, you did not fail, school failed you! Your college is Prison down the line ! There is a live movement going on to reduce arrest rate. Community Policing needs to be INSTITUTIONALIZED!"
Anita Sanchez, Filipino Sister steps up: "We have been second class citizens for 300 years, under Spanish and American occupation, we, African Americans and Filipinos take care of each other ! We gonna be on that train!"
Patrishia Tullock, director of Police Observers Working to Effect Reform, demands answers around the death of 21 yr. AfriKan American Youth Craig Holden at the Bayview Precinct on 9-21-05. Minister Chris Muhammad springs to the mike and declares: "We pledge to you that Craig Holden's death will not go uninvestigated!"
(I,mesha of the Idriss Stelley Foundation, asked to speak "quickly" by minister Muhammad), request the same diligence in investigating the shooting of 18 yr. AfriKan American Tyrelle Taylor on Northridge St, 9-9-05, but this particular request remains unanswered)
A Sister in the audience is requesting more police presence when school starts in the morning at a particular corner in the Fillmore where there are "many fights" between youngsters. Lt. Sanford stands up and promises: "2 officers will be there starting tomorrow!"
Minister Muhammad let us know that there are only 8 minutes left for questions... and announces the next Town Hall meeting, Tuesday Oct 11 at 6 PM.... Either at New College or the Mission Neighborhood Center, 362 Capp St. (No one seems to be in charge in terms of publicizing the exact location for the community to attend).

It's all good It sounds good. We want to mutually believe, to trust, to respect. NOW SHOW US.