CC MINUTES 07262016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 26, 2016 Page 4 1 residents in St. Anthony matters to her. The humanization of the police officers is a concern. Mr. 2 Jeronimo, the officer who shot and killed Philandro, attended high school with her. She 3 described him at the time they were attending school and asked why it is allowed for someone to 4 be pulled over for having a wide set nose rather than a broken tail light. Ms. Jacobs stated the 5 community does not trust law enforcement and she is certain it is vice versa. They attended high 6 school in South St. Paul and the police in that area do an excellent job in making a positive 7 presence in the community. She described what she felt is community engagement. Ms. Jacobs 8 noted on the St. Anthony website, there are only two opportunities for community engagement 9 and they fall short to engage the community. She felt the St. Anthony Police Department does 10 not build relationships with the community outside of 911 responses. Ms. Jacobs read the 11 benefits of community engagement and asked those present how many had attended Meet Me at 12 the River at which there were 321 attendees. She proposed that St. Anthony hold a citizen 13 listening series, not just one evening to allow residents to voice their concerns. She suggested a 14 Citizens Academy be formed and modeled after the program in South St. Paul. Ms. Jacobs 15 requested all law enforcement officers in St. Anthony complete 200 hours of community service 16 off -duty, noting these requests are SMART goals. 17 18 Mayor Faust asked for a show of hands as to who has attended St. Anthony Citizens Academy 19 and noted St. Anthony has a program in place. 20 21 Ms. Mageen Caines, 3100 32nd Avenue NE, has lived in St. Anthony since the tornado took out 22 Apache Plaza. She was in Officer Cotroneos' first DARE class and was the honor graduate. She 23 reviewed her history within the City and when she returned from the Army to be with her family. 24 Ms. Caines stated she is pro to the village and noted the group has vast skills and experiences. 25 She suggested the offers of help should be organized as the silence is hurting the residents. Ms. 26 Caines agreed there needs to be a series of listening sessions and asked what it will look like 27 when we are there. 28 29 Ms. Melanie Chaput, 3537 Coolidge Street, stated she is the parent of two adopted children from 30 China. She stated systemic racism is hurting the kids and community leaders are hurting her 31 efforts to raise her children. Ms. Chaput wants the Council to take action and make it visible. 32 33 Ms. Julie Pierce, new resident of New Brighton, stated she is the Director of Nourish 282. Her 34 children are bi- racial and the shooting shook her family to the core. Her children are having a 35 difficult time dealing with this. Ms. Pierce stated her daughter needs reassurance that we will do 36 better, there will be police reform, and the City leaders care about her life. She felt that asking 37 for help is a sign of strength and the community is in need of compassion from its leaders. Ms. 38 Pierce stated silence is not the solution, it is time to standup, and be part of the movement for 39 change. She stated the world is watching St. Anthony, hard conversations need to be held, and 40 the Mayor and Council need to want to be part of the solution. She asked the Council to accept 41 help from the various groups available. She asked if any of the Council was present at the July 42 10` protest, stated silence is not the answer. 43 44 Mr. Robert Jones stated he has been in the community for 18 years, loves the Village, loves this 45 community, and the death of Philandro burst his bubble. He now lives that fear every single day. 46 Mr. Jones stated he makes a decision every day as to what he wears and what routes he takes. 47 He stated St. Anthony has the opportunity to Get It Right. He would like the council to reach out