Today, the community-led Police Reform and Racial Equity Steering Committee released its draft recommendations to address systemic racism in Alameda.

The recommendations from the four-member steering committee came after a six-month review process of five key areas, many involving the Alameda Police Department (APD), that contribute to racial inequality in the city

The five sections are unbundling services currently delivered by APD; a review of APD policies and practices; APD accountability and oversight; a review of laws that criminalize survival; and systemic and community racism/anti-racism.

The steering committee appointed a total of 60 residents to form a subcommittee for each section to provide further assistance. The committees met monthly to discuss each section. The committees created a set of goals for each section.

For the unbundling of APD services, the committee seeks to “evaluate community service needs and identify alternative service models.” For the review of APD polices and practices, the committee wants to “create an enforceable Officer Code of Conduct.”

The systemic and community racism/anti-racism section is the only section that involves non- APD city services such as housing, education, healthcare and city government. The committee wants to “create a reporting and feedback system for residents to report instances of prejudice, abuse of power, and racism that they witness.”

Members of the public can view the draft resolution by visiting www.alamedaca.gov/policing. Residents will be allowed to ask questions and offer feedback directly to the steering committee at a public forum tomorrow, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. The Zoom link can be accessed by visiting www.alamedaca. gov/GOVERNMENT/Agendas- Minutes-Announcements.

The final draft recommendations, with community input, will be presented to the City Council on March 16.

On June 29, 2020, the City Council authorized the formation of the steering committee to review and offer recommendations to combat systemic racism in Alameda. The plan was in response to the controversial Mali Watkins arrest in May of last year and the community response that followed.

City Manager Eric Levitt appointed Christine Chilcott, Al Mance, Cheryl Taylor and Jolene Wright to the commit-tee. Chilcott is CEO of Girls Inc. of the Island City. Mance is a defense attorney. Taylor has served on the governing board of Nea and the Alameda Community Learning Center. Wright has been an Alameda resident since 2002.

The City Council is not obligated to enact any of the steering committee’s recommendations. For more information on the steering committee, visit alam¬edaca.gov/RESIDENTS/Policing- Review-and-Racial-Equity.