Tensions Mount as Brooklyn Center Violence Prevention Commission Now in Doubt
Uncertainty surrounds the future of Brooklyn Center’s proposed Community Safety and Violence Prevention Commission after a contentious city council meeting Monday night.
Establishing such an advisory body became a city priority after the fatal police shooting of Daunte Wright four years ago.
There’s been plenty of discussion and numerous meetings ever since.
It led to mounting tensions Monday night.
“I really think that we’re not representing the collective of our predominantly people of color community up here,” said Brooklyn Center Mayor April Graves.
Shortly after, clapping could be heard in the background, which led to Council Member Laurie Ann Moore requesting a point of order.
A testy exchange between Graves and Moore then ensued before a 3-2 vote denied an amended resolution to establish the commission.
Council members Dan Jerzak, Kris Lawrence-Anderson and Moore voted in favor of rejecting the amended resolution. Graves and Council Member Teneshia Kragness favored the resolution, and thus voted no.
Opposition Concerns
Council Member Jerzak raised concerns about the makeup of the proposed commission, which would be an all-volunteer body of 10 members. Of those, six would be voting members who would be required to live in Brooklyn Center. Four non-voting members, who would not have a residency requirement, would also be part of the body.
According to the resolution, members “shall have direct experience or contact with the public safety, judicial or public health systems or have had direct contact or expertise with one or more of the public safety, judicial or public health systems.”
Jerzak took issue with the non-voting members, saying his position reflects concerns of his constituents.
“This body has tried and tried and yet we cannot find sufficient agreement,” said Jerzak.
Graves pointed out that the non-voting members could be a business owner, a legal expert or someone with a local school.
Council Member Kragness concurred.
“This is a volunteer position here, so we are setting barriers to keep people who have expertise from helping our city doesn’t make sense to me,” said Kragness.
Moore agreed with Jerzak.
“I’m opposed to any non-voting advisors members in any of the commissions.”
Graves offered to remove the non-voting advisors, but the council did not take further action to move forward with that concession.
What Next?
The vote left the proposed Community Safety and Violence Prevention Commission in flux.
It’s possible the city council could repeal the resolution altogether at a future meeting, which Graves inferred in responding to questions from Jerzak before the council adjourned.
“The city attorney told us that it couldn’t be brought up again in this meeting,” said Graves speaking to Jerzak. “Therefore we should bring it up at the next meeting and you can give your chance to repeal it then.”
