Diversify the all-white Port Angeles Public Safety Advisory Board
Diversify the all-white Port Angeles Public Safety Advisory Board
The Issue
At a time when over 650 people protested in Port Angeles showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, the Port Angeles Public Safety Advisory Board - the community members who “serve as a liaison between the Police and Fire Departments and the community” PAMC 2.26.050(A)(7), attempted to stay silent at their June 2020 meeting and don't plan to meet again until September 2020. The board is not following its mandates under city municipal code and does not represent our community.
One board member noted at the board's June 17, 2020 meeting (at 1:00:20): “we are uniformly one color [white] on our board." Yet the board is mandated by law to represent “diverse segments of the community.” PAMC 2.26.020(F)
We ask the Port Angeles city council to consider the following changes to the Public Safety Advisory Board:
1) The Board must read and follow Chapter 2.26 of the city municipal code and agree by contract or under oath to follow all of the laws therein. Evidence to the contrary will result in removal from the board by city council.
2) Remove the board's authority to decline to meet all months of the year, as currently required by PAMC 2.26.060(B).
3) Meeting minutes must be published and meetings must be announced through city email announcements, as should already be the case as the City's laws require the board follow the Open Public Meetings Act. PAMC 2.26.060(B).
4) Add term limits of 12 years (which matches city council limits).
5) The board shall have power to investigate complaints against all city staff, including the police – strike PAMC 2.26.050(B) restrictions on the board duties from the municipal code.
6) Board members shall not also be city staff.
7) All board members shall live in city limits with the exception of members of the Klallam Tribes who may live outside of the city due to colonialism and racism.
8) The board shall include at least two seats for people who (1) experience or have experienced homelessness, chemical addiction, or both, or (2) work in supportive roles with these groups.
9) Strike PAMC 2.26.020(G), the limit on people under Department of Corrections supervision being on the board.
10) City council shall view and select from all applicants.
The Issue
At a time when over 650 people protested in Port Angeles showing support for the Black Lives Matter movement, the Port Angeles Public Safety Advisory Board - the community members who “serve as a liaison between the Police and Fire Departments and the community” PAMC 2.26.050(A)(7), attempted to stay silent at their June 2020 meeting and don't plan to meet again until September 2020. The board is not following its mandates under city municipal code and does not represent our community.
One board member noted at the board's June 17, 2020 meeting (at 1:00:20): “we are uniformly one color [white] on our board." Yet the board is mandated by law to represent “diverse segments of the community.” PAMC 2.26.020(F)
We ask the Port Angeles city council to consider the following changes to the Public Safety Advisory Board:
1) The Board must read and follow Chapter 2.26 of the city municipal code and agree by contract or under oath to follow all of the laws therein. Evidence to the contrary will result in removal from the board by city council.
2) Remove the board's authority to decline to meet all months of the year, as currently required by PAMC 2.26.060(B).
3) Meeting minutes must be published and meetings must be announced through city email announcements, as should already be the case as the City's laws require the board follow the Open Public Meetings Act. PAMC 2.26.060(B).
4) Add term limits of 12 years (which matches city council limits).
5) The board shall have power to investigate complaints against all city staff, including the police – strike PAMC 2.26.050(B) restrictions on the board duties from the municipal code.
6) Board members shall not also be city staff.
7) All board members shall live in city limits with the exception of members of the Klallam Tribes who may live outside of the city due to colonialism and racism.
8) The board shall include at least two seats for people who (1) experience or have experienced homelessness, chemical addiction, or both, or (2) work in supportive roles with these groups.
9) Strike PAMC 2.26.020(G), the limit on people under Department of Corrections supervision being on the board.
10) City council shall view and select from all applicants.
Victory
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Petition created on July 6, 2020