On March 24, 2023, Riverhead Local wrote an article covering the March 18 meeting of the Heart of Riverhead Civic Association. During this meeting concerning public safety, Riverhead School Board Member Laurie Downs made a derogatory comment regarding the community of Brentwood, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and promoting discrimination. This behavior is unacceptable and goes against the values of our community. 

“I’m afraid,” Downs said. “Look, we got a lot of Latino kids. We do have those gangs in our school. They haven’t started up yet. But if they do, as I said at the meeting, I don’t want us becoming a Brentwood,” Downs said... “[those gangs] They just beat each other up. These are kids that chop off heads and shit,” she said. “And that scares me.”

Downs had made exaggerated claims about the level of gang violence in Riverhead, with her anecdotal stories confirmed to have not been supported by police reports. In an interview Wednesday, Downs could not point to other specific incidents, but stood by her comments. She said she’s “heard about the incidents from community members and read about them on Facebook.” 

By sensationalizing the issue of gang violence, Downs has contributed to a harmful narrative that perpetuates fear and misunderstanding. This type of rhetoric only serves to reinforce negative stereotypes and promote discrimination against communities like Brentwood. While it is important to address the issue of gang violence, Down's statements only serve to stigmatize and further marginalize already vulnerable communities.

At the District 1 Youth Advisory Board, we are committed to promoting inclusivity, diversity, and equity in all aspects of our work. We will continue to advocate for marginalized communities and against all forms of discrimination.

We as an organization believe:

[1] This statement sensationalizes the issue of gang violence and stigmatizes marginalized communities;

[2] Riverhead School Board Member Laurie Downs should not use her leadership position as a platform for harmful and dangerous rhetoric;

[3] Riverhead School Board Member Laurie Downs should immediately apologize and retract her statements made concerning the community of Brentwood

We call on Ms. Downs to apologize for her comments and to take steps to educate herself on the realities and strengths of the Brentwood community. We also urge the Riverhead School Board to take appropriate action to address this matter and to ensure that all board members uphold the values of diversity, inclusion, and respect.

We stand together as members of the Brentwood community and will not tolerate any form of discrimination or prejudice. We hope that this incident will serve as a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity and promoting mutual understanding.