Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 9-4-15 Edition

Local
SPOTLIGHT
NIA
The first Spotlight feature for September is Nia, and this is the way to kick off a new month. Nia is an aspiring model and is open for all and any opportu- nity that will get her to the top. Nia has different facets to her personality that all serve her well when the time is right. For now, the time is right for us to congratulation Nia as this week’s Spotlight feature.
Residents Oppose Mayor’s Creation Of Citizens Review Board
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last Friday, Mayor Bob Buckhorn and Chief Eric Ward announced the cre- ation of a Citizens Review Board. On Thursday, dozens of citizens lined up to speak at City Council in opposition of the method in which the board was created.
The criteria for the Citizens Review Board as outlined by Mayor Buckhorn would consist of an 11-member board of which 7 members would be appointed by Mayor Buck- horn. City Council will appoint two members, and the other two would serve as alternates.
Clarence Jones was the first of many who expressed his opinion. “The Mayor must want to do what he wants. We wanted a board put together for us and by us.
“I’ve been a victim of police brutality myself. When I went to Internal Affairs, they swept it under the rug. I’m tired of coming down here. If the Mayor wants to be Governor of Florida, he had better tighten up!”
Ms. Chynna McFadden
said, “With the board the
Mayor has created, how are we supposed to know they won’t be bias, how are we sup- posed to know they are work- ing for our concerns.
“Where I grew up we re- spected police, but the kids here don’t look up to the po- lice and they are not going to. We are proud people and we are not to be pitied, but we need people to respect us if they want to be respected.”
Ms. Joyce Hamilton Henry, spokesperson for the ACLU of Florida said, “We are very concerned with over- policing in Tampa and the stop, frisk, and search law. You have heard the problems that have been clearly stated.
“We want a board that will respond to the needs of the community and not rubber stamp things. We are calling on you to do the right thing and have a board that is trans- parent, accountable and that will improve the relationship to have a safer community.”
Dr. Bennie Small, Presi- dent of the Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP said, “We’re asking for trans- parency and that the review board reflects the community. It would be better for the com-
MAYOR BOB BUCKHORN
munity if the people who live there are a part of the board. I recommend it contain local people.”
Ms. Connie Burton said, “I want to encourage the Council to pay attention to the Charter that says when the Mayor is not in charge, the Board Chair is in charge. We want the Board Chair to issue an Executive Order to stop what the Mayor is trying to do.
“We won’t be quiet and we’re not going anywhere. We are not demonizing the police. We need transparency and we’re asking that this administra- tion build a legacy based on truth.
“Arthur Green, III, said, “On behalf of my father who lost his life due to the actions of police officers, I’m here to advocate a review board to be put in place. ... I had to iden- tify my dad after he was mis- treated by police who reacted to what they believed was him resisting them instead of a medical emergency. ...Those officers went home to their families, my dad didn’t get to do that.”
Bishop Michelle Patty
said, “We have been coming down here for a long time. If you don’t have the power, then stop wasting our time coming down here to speak.
“I’m disappointed in Mayor Buckhorn. I want to see if you will rise up to the oc- casion and stand up behind
what you promised us.”
Ms. Michelle Williams
said, “Its time for politicians to put principle over popularity. The board the Mayor has put forth are hand-picked tokens. We didn’t ask for that. We asked for a board with trans- parency and independence.”
Blue Rain said, “Yes, my pants hang down and every time I walk down the street, the police are looking at me. I don’t want to be the next one to be shot. We need something that works for the people, not one that works for the Mayor.”
PAGE 12-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015