Mountain View's Commitment On Race, Equity And Inclusion

Mountain View CA

04 November, 2020

1:20 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Mountain View: November 3, 2020 The City of Mountain View is fully committed to racial equity and justice as we strive to create a welcoming, safe and inclusive community for all. While recent national events have created an urgent cry for policing reform across the country, the City recognizes that systemic racism is far-reaching and long-standing and requires a comprehensive approach of reflection, engagement and action. This webpage is dedicated to keeping the community informed about the City's efforts to uphold our commitment to racial equity and justice and the opportunities for community members to be involved. Community for All is a City Council Major Goal for Fiscal Years 2019-20 and 2020-21Council Resolution Proclaiming Black Lives MatterCouncil Resolution to Denounce Xenophobia and Anti-Asian Sentiment Due to the COVID-19 PandemicHispanic Heritage Month ProclamationMountain View Police Department's policies aligned with 8 Can't Wait and State Attorney' GeneralPolice Chief Statement on George Floyd's tragic deathCity Statement on Importance of Diversity in Community and Community PolicingRacial Equity and Justice Library Collection: Aligned with the City of Mountain View's commitment to racial equity and social justice, Library staff created collections on diversity, anti-racism, and activism to engage and inspire community members of all ages. These collections are now available through the new Racial Equity and Justice Library Collection page on the Mountain View Public Library website. On June 23, 2020, the City Council unanimously adopted a Resolution proclaiming that the City of Mountain View stands in solidarity with its black residents and communities of color and that Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter News Release and Resolution On June 9, 2020, Mayor Abe-Koga announced the appointment of an Ad-Hoc Council Subcommittee on Race, Equity, and Inclusion (REI Subcommittee) to engage the community in meaningful dialogue and take action toward a vision of racial justice and equity in Mountain View and renewed public trust in law enforcement. The Subcommittee consists of Vice Mayor Ellen Kamei, who serves as Chair, Mayor Margaret Abe-Koga and Councilmember Lucas Ramirez. The REI Subcommittee will meet periodically from June through November 2020 with plans to bring recommendations to the full City Council in December 2020. REI Subcommittee meeting agendas and materials are available below. For questions or comments on the REI subcommittee, please email [email protected] . Subcommittee Meetings June 30, 2020 REI Subcommittee Meeting: June 30, 2020 Meeting AgendaJune 30, 2020 Meeting Minutes June 30, 2020 Meeting Video June 30, 2020 Discussion Topics Police Department Use of Force Policies: The City has reviewed and revised MVPD's use of force policies to align with the 8 Can't Wait campaign and California Attorney General. Presentation Slides: Mountain View Police Department Use of Force and De-escalation Policy Scope of Race, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee: The REI Subcommittee discussed the scope of community conversations and other potential activities to work toward racial equity and justice. August 24, 2020 REI Subcommittee Meeting: August 24, 2020 Meeting AgendaLink to August 24, 2020 Meeting MinutesLink to August 24, 2020 Meeting VideoAugust 24, 2020 Discussion TopicsAlternative Police Service Delivery Models: The City is exploring alternative approaches for MVPD to respond to mental health-related calls for service with regional collaboration. The Subcommittee received a presentation from Santa Clara County regarding the Mobile Crisis Response Team. The City is further exploring alternative approaches for mental health related calls for service, including the White Bird Clinic's CAHOOTS program in Eugene, Oregon. Presentation Slides: Santa Clara County Mobile Crisis Response TeamMVPD Policing Activity: The City is compiling and evaluating data on policing activity to identify and understand any disproportionate impacts to communities of color. The Subcommittee received a presentation on preliminary MVPD Racial Demographic Statistics. The City is working with academic partners to bring analytical expertise and a neutral perspective to better understand MVPD policing data and develop approaches to address any disproportionate findings.Report: Mountain View Police Racial Demographic Statistics Public Police Oversight: The City is examining community-involved police oversight models to determine potential oversight approaches for Mountain View. The Subcommittee received an overview presentation on police oversight models. The City continues to assess what option would work best in Mountain View based on community input, Mountain View Police Department operational realities, and any identified issues related to public trust and police accountability. Report:Police Oversight ModelsPresentation Slides: Police Oversight Models October 05, 2020 Meeting – 5 pm to 7 pm via Zoom Click to Access the AgendaOctober 05, 2020 Discussion Topics:Overview of equity-based budgetingOverview of the Mountain View Police Department budgetConsideration of gender inclusive language guidelines. November 19, 2020 Meeting – 5 pm to 7 pm via Zoom Agenda items to be determined.Register for the meeting at: https://mountainview.gov/csrei_speakers The City is implementing a Race, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan focused on policing practices, policies and accountability, celebration and recognition of community diversity, and review of City operations and policies, with opportunities for community engagement throughout. Updates on the Action Plan will be provided at each REI Subcommittee meeting. Download the Race, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan As the movement for racial justice began to sweep the nation at the end of May 2020, and we saw some of the largest protests in Mountain View in recent memory, the City recognized the opportunity and obligation to connect with residents to listen to concerns, provide information, promote dialogue and find a path forward together. Listening Forums on Local Policing Update - Human Relations Commission to Share What They Heard From The Community The Human Relations Commission (HRC) met with Police Chief Max Bosel on June 4, 2020 to discuss the Police Department's values and policies. The HRC formed a subcommittee to help facilitate police-community relations through the planning of a community engagement process on Mountain View policing. This included Listening Forums, an online portal for written stories and one-on-one interviews. The Listening Forums on Local Policing were held on: Session 1 - Monday, August 31 (6:30-8:30) - EnglishSession 2 - Thursday, September 10 (5-7) - YouthSession 3 - Thursday, September 17 (6:30-8:30) - SpanishSession 4 - Thursday, September 24 (6:30-8:30) - Mandarin These multilingual forums with small group discussion facilitated by the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC) provided a safe space for individual community members to share their stories about their experience with policing in Mountain View. Community members also had the opportunity to share their stories in confidence by submitting anonymous online statements and one to one meetings with HRC members. With facilitation by PCRC, the HRC will share the themes from community member stories at a future date. Participants at this virtual meeting will be invited to engage in small group discussions to: reflect on how the experiences shared by story tellers may be similar to or different from their own, imagine the perspectives of both the story teller and the police, and highlight what went well and what the police could have done differently to improve the experience. Registration will be required. Date is to be determined. Mountain View Police Department Interactive Educational Forums MVPDx: Partnership for the Future of Policing, is a listening and learning program that brings residents together with Mountain View Police officers to discuss, collectively, what next steps look like for our City when it comes to how the department protects and serves those who live, work, and visit our community. The program, which will take place over seven sessions, will deep-dive into various themes and topics that will allow community members to ask questions, foster dialogue, and increase connections with local law enforcement to build the best future possible for policing in Mountain View. The first cohort will be starting in September with representatives from a range of groups and individuals who have contacted the Police Department seeking to engage on this topic. The interest list will be used to help fill future cohorts. To learn more and to sign up for the program interest list, visit their webpage. Please note, classes will be primarily conducted over Zoom but will also include in-person activities. Each cohort is limited to no more than 12 people to maximize engagement and conversation and comply with public health protocols. The Police Department continues extensive one-on-one outreach with community members who have reached out with questions, comments, and concerns around policy, procedure, and budgeting. You may contact [email protected] for police specific questions. If you have general questions or comments about the City's Racial Equity and Justice efforts, please contact [email protected]. The Mountain View Police Department takes great pride in being transparent and earning trust within our community. It is a top priority for the MVPD to remain engaged with and meet the standards of the community in how we protect and serve city residents and visitors. Update on 8 Can't Wait PoliciesLink to MVPD Where We StandContact MVPD: Katie Nelson via Email or (650) 903-6360 This press release was produced by the City of Mountain View. The views expressed here are the author's own.