Friends,
Since I last wrote you, on Monday, June 1st, Arlington, like our country, has been focused on racial justice, our police, and what we can and must do to make our community a safer and better place for individuals and communities of color.
I have been reading the numerous emails, working, and thinking through the issues raised, each of which contributed to my delay in writing. Below, I provide you with the big picture on police and race related issues in Arlington as I see them because I believe it important to identify and offer my thoughts on them at this moment.
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When I last wrote, the Board had not put out the above statement condemning George Floyd's murder. I've placed it in the button/link above because I believe we each have a responsibility to act/speak and I felt it important that the Board do so.
Withdrawal of Arlington Police from in Front of the White House
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On Monday evening, June 1, the County Manager and County Board withdrew Arlington Police from Lafayette Square after our police officers were improperly used by President Trump in conjunction with a photo opportunity at St. John's Church.
The above statement from the Board includes relevant facts about the mutual aid agreements, through which we work with neighboring jurisdictions to keep Arlington safe. We typically need help for the Marine Corps Marathon and other events. These agreements are, in part, a response to the September 11th tragedy. I believe we must re-evaluate our mutual aid agreements and am already and will continue to do so. I will be exercising increased and appropriate oversight as we reevaluate.
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Click on this picture of Tsion Zenebe, 19, who led a crowd down the newly renamed Black Lives Matter Plaza toward the White House on Sunday, to see the 12 minute video from the Post of the protests and what occurred on Monday, June 1.
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In the video above, our police are not the ones featured, but I fully understand why many of you and many Arlingtonians are concerned that we were there in the first place. I respectfully submit that the above statement on our police actions is accurate, the Board acted quickly, and I and we are acting to address reasonable concerns raised about mutual aid agreements and oversight. Beyond that, I ask that you email with further questions. The Post has publicly reported that the deployment is the subject of a lawsuit. I do not shirk my responsibility to act consistent with Arlington's ideals; I do ask that you reach out with your questions.
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The above button includes a summary that you may find helpful of the perspectives involved. For a statement from Arlington Police, go here: https://www.arlnow.com/press-releases/arlington-coalition-of-police-response-to-the-death-of-george-floyd-and-dc-protests/ I agree with some of parts it and respectfully disagree with other parts. Regardless of where we stand on each sentence, I know we all can and will honor our police officers while also asking them to serve all our residents fairly and well.
Police Reform
Arlington is engaged in discussions about police reform. For an excellent forum on policing with our Commonwealth's Attorney and Police Chief hosted by Delegate Mark Levine, go here:
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Forum on policing and race with Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Deghani-Tafti and Police Chief Jay Farr hosted by Delegate Mark Levine
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On policing, I have also been digging into the research and perspectives on body worn cameras. While they are expensive, our community, police, and the analysis I have seen indicates this is a good step for accountability and safety. The horrible events on Sunday in Fairfax County indicate some the protections that body warn cameras provide.
You should know that the cost is significant and I do not believe the Arlington Police Department has an abuse of force problem, based on the evidence I have seen. However, I support them as a good step and the NAACP as well as the Arlington residents of color I have listened to, police officers, and our county as a whole want them and want them now. I support body worn cameras and I will vote to move forward on this issue on Tuesday when the County Manager will bring forward a proposal to equip officers with them.
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My thinking on police reform as a whole is being guided by President Obama's pledge and a desire to look carefully at the facts, data, and evidence on what works. Arlington Police in my experience are committed to our community and guardians of our safety. There are important questions, however, about whether an independent review board would be helpful, as has been called for by the Arlington Branch of the NAACP.
There are also other fair questions, I believe, about disproportionate arrests/stops on marijuana and driving without a license, for example, that should be considered. The County Board will take up these questions in the coming days, weeks, and months, as we should, in light of the calls for racial justice and the leadership we should take on policing and racial equity. My position on the independent review board, based on the analysis and discussion I have seen to this point, is in favor, with the work and questions for me about how it should be structured so it is done well.
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While all of our attention has been focused on police reform, the numbers on COVID 19 have been low and i am very pleased to report that the above button and Phase 2 is reasonable based on the evidence to date. Links of interest:
Finally, for more information on Phase 2 and COVID 19, please join me tomorrow at 12 noon for another facebook live town hall where we will answer your questions. Click on the image below for the video tomorrow:
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Click on this picture to watch the town hall tomorrow at 12 noon. (I took this on Saturday in DC after the Black Lives Matter rally at Courthouse here in Arlington.)
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Thank you for reading and for continuing to work with me as we address and stay vigilante on the pandemic. And thank you for working with me as we face up to systemic racism in our country and county and work urgently and with passion to create the type of beloved community Dr. King spoke about so long ago.
Yours,
Matt
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