Good evening. My name is Barney Bishop. My address is 1454 VOOC Ray drive Tallahassee. The mission and purpose of the citizens police review board was outlined by your general counsel. But I wanted to concentrate on three things number one, in the very first sentence of their mission and purpose, it talks about transparency. And it talks about accountability. And in the third respect, it says that the members must be unbiased because of newspaper stories, and because this video has spoken to the press, she is admitted that she is anti police. Therefore that makes her biased. That makes that makes her prejudiced. And somebody that is biased or prejudiced should not serve on this board. In fact, in reading the annual report today for the second time, I saw again, that the board itself is recommending in the annual SLS station that everybody on that board is unbiased. Yet Miss Brito would either have to admit that she is biased because she said it in the paper she is and she's got a coffee mug that says anti police on it. Or she'd have to commit perjury by signing that form and saying that she was not biased. You can't have somebody serving on that. It is prejudiced. And if I was anti Hispanic, and you had a board that oversaw Hispanic activities or actions in this community, you certainly would not put me on that board. And I'd be smart enough to not apply for the board. But it appears the MS Brio wants her cake and eat it too. If I was anti firefighter, and you had a board that oversaw the actions of the firefighters, and I told you that I was bias I was against them, you would not appoint me to it. And you would be right. And that's the way things should be done in a proper fashion so that you know that people don't come in with a bias, they don't come in with an agenda. So it is the opinion of back the Badger group that I'm here representing tonight, civilians that support law enforcement, that Miss Brio cannot be allowed to continue to serve. If you are, it doesn't matter, by the way, whether she's taken action and or not. She is admitted that she is biased. So if you decide to keep her on this board, then I'm telling you right now that I am pro law enforcement. I'm biased in favor of law enforcement. And I demand that you appoint me to that board, because that board is entitled to have as many people that are for law enforcement, as there are people against law enforcement, otherwise, you're stacking the deck. It can't be that this board decides that every action by law enforcement, they've got a problem with it. They can investigate it. But the reality of it is ladies and gentlemen, it that police officers have to make a decision. They don't know for they're coming home every night. You're their family. You guys come home every night to your family. They don't. So please don't get reappointed. Thank you take her out, or put me on there.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Bishop. Our next speaker.
Next speaker is Mike Goldstein, followed by Chuck white,
your name and address for the record, please.
Hey, guys, I'm Mike Goldstein to unsend Wesak Avenue. Been a while happy end of the year. I love the new seating arrangements right away. Good at regionalization. Believe that, Mr. Mayor, you said that while the last meeting with the organization of the new commissioners elected in, we don't want to go forward in the year with more civility and like move forward past last year's drama, if I remember correctly. So I think the point is like if the process was there in place, then why was she not stopped to be pointed at the first step of that process? So why are we even having this conversation right now, if it was a bad appointment, it should have been nipped in the bud in the beginning of this process not being talked about X amount of months later saying she's not the right fit for the board. When the board is supposed to be built with diversity, if I'm not mistaken. Not everyone can get along with the police. That's not the point of the board itself. But to like, Miss Jackson said earlier, those roles that were discussed, were the point of the board itself not to get along and Kumbaya and all this stuff about what the board is about, because that's confusing to us in the public about as well. So if you're gonna, and I read the homework ahead of time in the lobby, I don't think this bureau is on the list of requirements, if I'm not mistaken, and reading the literature provided to us to read. So is this a witch hunt elf in the room to get her off and put Mr. Bishop on the board, because that's gonna be a nice discussion for another day, because I don't think people really want him on board as much they don't want her. So that's gonna be something to think about as well. And, again, the lights not working. So I'm not sure how much time I got left. But this is a discussion for a bigger discussion, because if the process in place was not how it should have been then finished, unfortunately, were appointed this bureau in first place, because now we're still having discussion about why she's on the board. And at this point, and I'm not the board itself is just one aspect because they're trying to help the police, I believe advise on what you're doing. There's other things in play besides a cup saying whatever it said, to Coster and in the media about it. There's off duty police detail that changed over the last year that is making things unsafe for people at night, and I talked everyone in the room or tried to talk to everyone in the room. Mr. Mayor, he didn't respond to email about this. And that's an issue I've been having for a year now since that process changed over. That's a discussion for another day. But why are people why is there a lapse in judgment or in time I talked to the chief earlier, when there's a time waiting, that's where that board is therefore to help with those kind of situations and guidance, because when we're waiting on before night, there's a like a time lapse when issues could arise like a shooting that happened last week that made the 100 in the news, according to the media 100 shootings in the year. That's not good. Right, guys. So how do we move past the crime situation over a board members in the room here to be discussed about getting kicked off the board was just got appointed. You have about 30 seconds. Thanks for having us. Happy New Year. I'm up to more time. So I'm here for the long one today. But good to see everyone again. And it's good to be back in this but not for a reason I wanted to be I'm happy to be back here and to Wayne as a citizen concerns that are valid. But that kicks off the board when he just got on there from a process that was in place that wasn't explained well enough to have a conversation about this. Now, it should have been nipped in the bud when it first started. Thank you.
Thank you The next speaker please.
Chuck white. And then next will be Michael McLoughlin.
Thank you for joining us your name and address for the record, please.
Chuck white. My address is 537 Frank Shaw road. I'm a longtime resident here in Tallahassee. I guess the first thing I want to say is to thank each of y'all for your service to this community. You all know what it takes to serve the community and what an awesome commitment that you make on behalf of the public. I'm here to tell you that I know Taylor Brito. And I've known her for several years, she has that same commitment, if not a stronger one. She's out in the woods working with our homeless, she works with our teens that are having difficulty. She brings a perspective to the that from the community's point of view that that you don't typically hear. So I I think are contrary to what Mr. Bishop says, I think we got a very strong police department. And I think our police department can can stand a criticism and not be afraid of that. And if Taylor Bria was able to bring ideas and concepts to our oversight of our police department, I certainly think she should do it. So I recommend strongly that you support her and keep her there. And it's not gonna it's not gonna police departments and I'm not afraid of her. So that's what I have to say. God bless you all. Thank you very much for your again for your service.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please. Michael McLaughlin,
followed by Brian loopy Yanni.
Thank you for joining us your name and address for the record, please,
listeners. My name is Michael McLachlan. I live at 100, Cadiz Street and I'm a member of the telehealth Community Action Committee. And I just want to say regarding the appointments, I've attended the CCRB meetings a lot out there last month. And I can say that Edward games and Aaron Monroe are both superb members of the CPRP and should be retained as members. As you look for a replacement for Ms. Suzanne van White has also been a good member, I urge you to bring to the board and I urge you to appoint someone who brings to the board extensive experience thinking through how to develop, implement and enforce policies to reduce and eliminate police brutality as the attorney because Andrew Jackson mentioned the beginning this Commission was established in response to 1000s of Tallahassee, Ian's taking to the streets demanding community control of the police. And while those while we were demanding a civilian police accountability council that would have much more extensive powers. We have the sport as is. And it still has an opportunity to, you know, to offer critical recommendations to reduce the harm that happen from the police in our community. And so as you're thinking through who to appoint to the sport, I encourage you to look at Taylor Bureau as a model. Taylor Bureau is incredibly well qualified to be on the CRB she has. She's literally wrote the curriculum that the Florida Department of law enforcement uses on trauma informed trauma related to sexual violence. That's the sort of experience we need on that board. And I just want to say that the board members need to be willing to maintain their political independence with respect to both the Police Benevolent Association and this commission. I'm deeply concerned by the controversy that has emerged following Commissioner Dianne Williams Cox's public misrepresentation of a sticker that Mitt Spiro has on her water bottle. And so, as you think about you appoint I also encourage you and urge this commission to respect the political independence of the CPRP. Let it do its work at the needs to, except Except its recommendations. The worker does very deeply. Don't make public comments, especially false comments, regarding standing members, thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker please Mr. Clerk,
Bryan, Luciana Luciani, who will be followed by Stanley Simms.
Thank you for joining us your name and address for the record, please.
Thank you. Good evening, Brian Luciani 607 McDaniel Street. First, I just want to say something about the the process of removing misbehavior or anybody on on the board. I haven't dug deep into it but I tried to find the The story the documents behind the creation of the board and I didn't see anything about how it would be removed. And also, I may be wrong in this, but it's my understanding that she was one of the group appointments, that the commission is a whole made out of recommendations by local agencies. If that's the case, and you all voted to put her on, I would think in order to remove her, you all need to agree on that. And you also should get some input from whatever agency recommended or don't from there. I don't know, Miss Bureau, I've met her I was acquainted lightly acquainted with her some years ago. I don't know exactly what her position is on this. I just, you know, get my information from the Tallahassee Democrat. So looking to say, you know, they had a quote from her in there, and it really doesn't matter what she thinks I'm I don't think I agree with her. But I think her position, whatever it is, should be on the board. I think there are a lot of people in the community that feel that way. And something that you wouldn't know just by reading the Tallahassee Democrat is that the board itself unanimously endorsed her last week, and said in that, that she was Hold on a second here. I noted that she's demonstrated unquestionable professionalism and integrity. And she's never shown bias. I'm not completely naive. I know, there could be something going on behind the scenes, but from everything out in the public, this all started this little this movement to get rid of her started from what turned out to be an erroneous report about what she had on her mug. And that erroneous report was repeated, including by a city commissioner, and the head of the PBA, apparently, without checking to see if it was true.
You're at about seven seconds.
Okay. Just want to say I hope we learned three things from this. That we that free speech is important when we need a diverse view diverse viewpoints on this board. Public officials should get their facts straight before they make public accusations of someone's character. And I think we need to think about whether or not the people being reviewed should have a veto over who's reviewing them. Unless you want to answer the old question of who watches the watchers. With the watched. I think we need to keep Miss Barrow on the board. Thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please.
Stanley Sims, and then we'll Crowley
thank you for joining us your name and address for the record, please.
My name is Stanley sin, I'm at 1320 Avondale way. bias and we even be consistent with bias. Our police chief went to a Billy Graham, anti LGB y'all Forgive me with those letters. I can't get them right. And then he came back in these chambers and say it his religion does not allow him to condone homosexuality. But he said in my professional realm. I can do my job. Boom shakalaka. Now he's sitting over there calling me a liar. He is outbursts and why I'm speaking, calling me a liar. The Tallahassee police chief. Now if Miss Taylor was in this room while I was speaking, and Miss Taylor yelled out, lie her. What type of bias with this board give her bias and bias and bias towards my kids. I'm biased when I walk down the street and there's a McDonald's on one side and a burger key goes the other I'm bias and bias. But do I handle myself in a professional? I'm sorry, I pray I'm not threatening you all because I'm moving my hand. I pray that when I come into your business, or I'm conducting myself that I'm handling myself within the provisions, and according not to me, but her board She says she does that. I would really it was kind of difficult for me to swallow. And it's still difficult for me to swallow that our police chief was able to go to a Billy Graham that is known anti. And because that was his personal thing, and I had to get used to that. You're at 30 seconds. And so her personal feelings is she feels that the police chief, the police system is broken. But even as a taxpayer, she's saying I'm willing to commit my personal time, not like $180,000 salary like we pay the chief. And handle myself professional, even though I'm by
Thank you. Our next speaker, please.
Next speakers will Crowley be followed by Malik. Gary.
Thank you for joining us your name and address for the record, please.
Thank you commission. My name is Wil Crowley I live at 2308 Cypress Cove drive. First, I'd like to give my support to the individuals seeking reappointment to the board. I don't know how many of y'all watching have been to this board meeting. And if you are a civic nerd, like I am, and like many others watching that aren't getting paid to be here. It is riveting, you will really enjoy it. It's not time wasted. Other than that, I would like to take a few moments to speak in favor of Miss bureau. I'm an acquaintance of hers. I don't know her personally. But from what I've seen, she's an upstanding citizen and represents me well, on the board. I'd like to speak about a couple of items. First, I'd like to speak about bias. We've talked a lot about what bias means what constitutes bias and what we should do about bias. Is it biased to have concerns about how the police department functions historically and presently? And what should be done about it? Is it biased? To take money from the police union as a as a candidate for office or a sitting Commissioner? Did those things influence the way that you approach policy? If you have a bias? Can you set it aside and make the right decision anyway? Is it easier to address bias when you're up front about your bias, or when you try and hide it and pretend that you have none. I would like to see everyone recognize the point of view that they're coming from. And when they bring it to the table so that it's easier to set it aside. Besides bias, I'd also like to speak for a moment about responsibilities or about duties, we all of us have a responsibility and a duty to make sure that when we are raising concern about an issue that we have as much of the facts under our hands as possible. I think that duty is even stronger when you've been elected by the people to represent and to make decisions on their behalf. A member of this body failed in that duty. When that member shared this shared a concern that sparked this whole thing. The details just weren't right. The specific content of the sticker at hand was factually incorrect. And as was the PBA statement that followed, you have 30 seconds. So my hope is this, that when we say that, before you react, get the facts, then that goes for yourself as well. I encourage you I urge you to support Miss bureau. And, you know, one thing that's going to raise interest and abolishing the police more than anything else is kicking somebody off for believing that. Thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please. Next is Malik
Gary. And then Mayor, we will go to the two speakers that we have connected virtually.
Okay. Thank you for joining us your name and address for the record, please.
Good afternoon. My name is Molly Gary. I say 2215 Cedarbrook court 32303 Tallahassee, Florida to the Marin City Commission. I stand in favor of Miss Barrow. First of all, let's talk about diversity. Diversity is something that we lack in this city on almost every diversity board. There's not more than two African Americans that sit on a board and our diversity as we talk about diversity. Let's talk about biases, biases here, right? We gave $27 million to FSU, Doak Campbell stadium. What's money also went to some of your campaigns, but you still do your job. Why are we facing this issue about Miss Biro that has a false statement of what was on her cup? When we have children at the age of 15, and 14 year olds going into our jobs and our justice system for marijuana that are less than five grams, when we have kids dying by a gun violence situation, who is that as our rage we go back to 2015 When our city was one of the top 10 for gun violence in the state, we got other issues to focus on y'all. We got other issues that focus on affordable housing. I heard y'all talk about it. I was on online watching. We got people, more homeless people in our nation's cap in our state's capital than any other city in the state of Florida. We got work to do. This issue is not at work for us to do. We need her on the board. You need me on the board, which is why I was appointed and confirmed. Nobody on this commission voted no against me to be on the board. I am abolitionists. But I'm not bias. Because I understand we got to rebuild the trust in our community, with our police officers. Because, yes, in a sense, police officers have not been great to the black community for a long time. Let's talk about how policing started. It was to catch runaway slaves. Let's look why people are abolitionists. Let's look at the foundation of system of policing. That's the problem. Not some of our police officers. It's the system itself. We got other stuff to do. I wore this hat there bro liberty to see how you would react to me wearing a Dream Defenders hat. I am proud to work for a grassroot organization that believes that we have other issues in our community than to be focused on police. Here at about 30 We got other stuff to do, y'all. We got other stuff, other money, other grants that need to be done to protect our children that are dying. You can't even go and play basketball outside of FAMU and not get shot. But we want to talk about Miss Barrows cup. We got other issues, you have been reelected to do the job to protect the citizens of this city. And let's let's do better. I said this at our last meeting, we got other issues that need to focus on. And I hope you hear me clear. This won't be my last time speaking if this happens again. Thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please.
Next speaker is virtual and we'll be done Cottrell and then rose Heinz. First, I'd ask
your name and address for the record, please.
Good afternoon. My name is Donna Cotterill, and I live in a neighborhood. I am so pleased to hear my leeks words. I too was other citizens police Review Board had to step down when I ran for county commission and really took my place and my gosh, I couldn't have said anything better than he did. I too am a colleague. And I consider Taylor a friend of mine. I have worked side by side and shoulder to shoulder with her on the review board as well as, as a workmate never have found the more upstanding person and compassionate and a leader who thinks critically and clearly before making decisions. And I echo the words of others who said she had that cup from day one. That sticker was on there from day one. I sat beside her and saw the sticker on the cup. Why now? And why are we so focused on a false accusation, as Brian mentioned that it wasn't even, you know, the propaganda to say it's a proceed propaganda wasn't even what was actually on the sticker. So I asked you to please keep Taylor on the board. And also Barry Monroe, as well as the Chair Edward Gaines, amazing individuals. I think it's an excellent board. It's diverse, as Malik said, and they do their due diligence. They do their research before making any decisions. And I had witness bore witness to tailor bringing information and research to the board in an unbiased way to make sure that we all are nuanced and some of the traumas that are experienced through not our police, but just police in general. And most of you know my father was in law enforcement, so in no way shape or form against law enforcement. I respect our law enforcement, but I also know that Taylor Bureau needs to stay on that board. So thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker please.
Next is Rose Heinz. rose Heinz.
Rose Heinz one more time Rose. Hi. Miss clerk, our next speaker.
That's the last speaker we have we've
muted. Oh, thank you for joining us your name and address for the record, please.
My name is Mr. Hines, and I'm speaking in my personal capacity and as a citizen here in Tallahassee, I live in Dry Creek run subdivision. Can y'all hear me okay? All right. What we're here discussing today is a passive expression of an individual's personal view. under the First Amendment, it seems pretty ridiculous that you would want to remove someone from a board that works to ensure that law enforcement is not infringing on people's rights, merely because they have a personal critical view of law enforcement, that there is no evidence that is ever infected, or in any way hurt the work they do on the review board. They're more important things to do, as others have mentioned and a showdown over a volunteer board member. There's unsolved cases are timely at times, there's a housing crisis. Review Boards should be a cross section of the community, which means there are going to be shows who are more critical of law enforcement than others. There are going to be some in our community who are abolitionist, I consider myself one. And so we should also be represented on this community review board. Again, there's never been an allegation that Taylor's beliefs have in any way affected their actions on the community. civilian review board. And individual board members should be able to have whatever private feelings they wish and they should be able to passively express that T shirt or face. We were wearing masks for a while if they want to wear a mask a shirt, have a cup with a sticker that expresses their beliefs, I don't think that affects their ability to do the job they were put or the volunteer position that they were put there to do. As long as the panel as a whole provides independent, unbiased views and transparency, then there shouldn't be an issue with the individual ideal of that board members hold this independent body reviewing the actions of the police, not just a cheerleader for the police department is that is the case, then there should be dissenting opinions about the message, the necessity of the police department should be allowed. Taylor has in no way been alleged to have done anything out of character. And individuals are allowed to have their own personal opinions about law enforcement, they are spending their spare time trying to make our community better by joining this civilian review board. And I think that should be commended and they should be retained. Additionally, I know there were two other members who were out for retention or not. And I do think those members should be retained. And as you are looking for a new member to the civilian review board to replace the members who had to leave the leaves the Boyd individuals like Taylor's should be the model standard. Thank you.
