Changing the Culture of Policing in our Community and Beyond

This evening (Wed. June 3rd, 2020), Mayor Justin Cummings and Police Chief Andy Mills will host a community forum from 6-8 PM, on “Changing the Culture of Policing in our Community and Beyond.” Chief Mills is expected to discuss steps that the department has taken to “reduce bias, increase diversity in the department and de-escalation tactics.” Additionally, Mayor Cummings is expected to discuss a proposal to limit law enforcement technologies that are biased against people of color.

At this moment, it is imperative that we prevent law enforcement from purchasing or deploying surveillance technology without public debate, clear use policies, and mechanisms of oversight and accountability. Throughout on-going conversations, Chief Mills has requested that advocates weaken the ordinance by implementing a “partial” facial recognition and to making changes to the point where it would offer little to no accountability.

If Santa Cruz wants to protect Black people and immigrants from facial recognition, the only way to do that is with a complete ban on facial recognition. Anything less will be an invitation for the identification of people at protests, creation of racist databases, and more police conduct that so many of us are fighting to prevent.

Here’s what you can to do Take Action:

* Join the meeting 6-8 p.m. today on Zoom with Webinar ID 964 6211 9560. Join by phone at (669) 900-9128, (346) 248-7799, or (312) 626-6799.

* Share your feelings about surveillance and policing, then state: “City Council should pass and enact the strongest version of the ordinance as possible with a full ban on facial recognition and predictive policing”

* If you are unable to attend, you can also send questions and comments to news [at] cityofsantacruz.com before the meeting.

* Email your City Councilmember and Justin Cummons using the attached template. You can find the email addresses for your Councilmember on the City of Santa Cruz's website here