Kudos to CM Zerby on pushing this necessary change. Recent events have proven the need for an active Civilian Review Authority, with the power to compel individuals--both officers and citizens--to appear before it.
However, we must bear in mind that the lack of subpoena power was only one of the shortcomings of the past CRA. An effective review board would also have a method to enforce its recommendations, rather than relying on the MPD to decide whether to implement them. Without the power to change police policy, the power to bring individuals before the board pales; what's the good of gathering information if the decision based on that information is disregarded? Robin Garwood Seward Elected Member, Minneapolis/5th District Green Party Steering Committee -----Original Message----- From: Jim Berg [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Friday, March 22, 2002 9:39 AM To: Issues Mpls Subject: [Mpls] subpoena power for a (new) CRA? Anyone catch yesterday's City Council Committee of the Whole meeting? Paul Zerby is proposing new language to the law authorizing the Civilian Review Authority that would grant it subpoena power. It's a common misperception that the City axed the CRA entirely. They reduced the budget and plan to re-constitute it somehow, possibly by contracting out the service. (At least that's how I understand it.) If Zerby prevails, against the strenuous opposition of Lisa Goodman (among others), the new CRA would get subpoena power after a simple majority vote. It's surprising the Strib isn't covering this issue, considering the amount of coverage the same issue has gotten in the past. Jim Berg Corcoran Neighborhood Still 62A Please Rick, keep me in Ward 9 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Movies - coverage of the 74th Academy Awards� http://movies.yahoo.com/ _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
