Two Years After Daunte Wright’s Death, Brooklyn Center Committee Continues Police Reform Work
April 11 marks the two-year anniversary of the officer-involved shooting death of Daunte Wright. A memorial remains at the intersection of 63rd Avenue and Kathrene Drive, where Wright was killed by former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter
“The last couple years have been really difficult,” said John Solomon, a 28-year resident of Brooklyn Center.
The police killing of Wright prompted Solomon to be a voice for change.
A sign placed at 63rd Avenue and Kathrene Drive provides information on the permanent Daunte Wright Memorial that will be placed at the site.
“I like to stay active in the community and I want to prove that it can be a great community here,” he said.
Solomon is one of the people on the Community Safety and Violence Prevention Implementation Committee that formed after Wright’s death.
Its mission is to provide recommendations on key public safety changes in Brooklyn Center.
“So that’s what’s been happening the last couple years, is us working towards that goal and trying to be a better community,” Solomon said. “Trying to be accepting of all, and then trying to get past the tragedy that happened by saying, what do we need to do to make this better?”
One of the committee’s recommendations was to no longer stop drivers for invalid or expired registration, or other minor infractions like broken lights or cracked windshields.
It’s a change that has yet to be implemented.
“The chatter that I’ve heard from people is, ‘well if we don’t stop people for that, how are we going to catch the criminals?'” Solomon said.
Another proposed change is to have mental health professionals respond to certain calls instead of police.
“I think that the city would be open to that particular type of thing,” he said of the mental health professionals.
After two years, the reforms are still a work in progress. But it’s important work that Solomon says he’s willing to do.
“I’m going continue to keep fighting,” he said. “I just think that it’s a legacy that I owe my ancestors.”
John Solomon is a member of Brooklyn Center’s Community Safety and Violence Prevention Implementation Committee.
Related: Law Enforcement Groups to Brooklyn Center: Police Reform Plan ‘Misguided’
