Sangamon County Board Highlights

In the County Board's first meeting after the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey by a county deputy, many residents shared their frustration and their proposals to avoid a recurrence. 37mins

Public Safety & Police
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Original Meeting

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Sangamon County Board on YouTube
Tuesday, August 13th, 2024
14703.0
Full Meeting on YouTube
Video Notes

The Sangamon county board meets for the first time since the shooting of Sonya Massey.

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Alex Rosen
Durham, North Carolina
As the Executive Director of See Gov, I focus on how to best achieve our mission of expanding thoughtful and consistent participation in democracy. I develop See Gov's technology, work to grow our impact, and find ways to sustain our nonprofit. I live in Durham, NC and make highlight reels for Durham and other See Gov pilot communities.
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In This Video
  • Chairman thanks the auditor and explains the decision to have the audit report first due to time and cost considerations, then moves to the public comment portion of the meeting. 
  • Chairman calls for Breonna Roberts, who comes to the podium and states her name and address for the record. 
  • Breonna Roberts begins her speech, thanking the officials and presenting statistics on police violence, particularly affecting Black individuals. 
  • Breonna Roberts discusses the budget allocation for the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department and proposes redirecting funds towards training programs and community policing. 
  • Breonna Roberts provides examples of successful police reform initiatives in other cities, such as Camden, NJ, and Eugene, OR. 
  • Ashley Bresnahan questions the training protocols and hiring practices of the Sheriff's Department, calling for third-party training and accountability. 
  • Chairman calls for Ken Pasha, who states his name and address for the record. 
  • Ken Pasha questions the hiring practices of the Sheriff's Department, particularly the hiring of individuals with DUIs, and calls for a reevaluation of resource allocation and hiring processes. 
  • Abby Giganti speaks about the lack of oversight in the hiring process of law enforcement officers and the impact of police brutality on the community, particularly on people of color. 
  • Christy Barnwell, an activist, discusses the community's demand for a full investigation into the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office and the systemic issues within the department. 
  • Zachary Long, Sr. begins his speech by noting the change in mindset following Sheriff Jack Campbell's resignation and the need for police reform. 
  • Zachary Long, Sr. comments on the lack of diversity in the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department and the importance of having a diverse police force. 
  • Zachary Long, Sr. calls for community unity and continuous pressure on the county board for reforms, highlighting the importance of voting in upcoming elections. 
  • Don Hanrahan introduces himself and begins his speech, expressing sorrow for the Massey family and calling for systemic change in the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department. 
  • Don Hanrahan discusses the resignation of Sheriff Campbell and the broader issues of racialized police practices, citing various statistics. 
  • Don Hanrahan continues to critique the police culture, mentioning the use of military equipment and the need for transformational justice. 
  • Robert Moore introduces himself and begins his speech, discussing the NAACP's collaboration with Illinois police chiefs to prevent incidents like Ferguson. 
  • Robert Moore presents the 10 principles for building trust within communities and highlights their success in various police departments across Illinois. 
  • Jenna Broom speaks about her personal connection to the community, the failure of the Sheriff's Department, and calls for specific actions to ensure accountability and safety. 
  • Jared Lampke, a teacher, introduces himself and begins discussing his experience working with a diverse student population. 
  • Jared Lampke discusses the importance of community policing and the need for strategic planning and addressing barriers within the police department. 
  • Vanessa Knox, chair of the Transformational Justice Task Force, speaks about the recurring issue of crime and mental health crises in the community. She emphasizes the need for proper training and accountability for officers and state workers. 
  • Vanessa Knox continues, asking for a sheriff who is connected to the community and willing to work on issues like racial and economic equity. She supports an advisory referendum for recall on the ballot. 
  • Pastor Susan Phillips introduces herself and invites the audience to take a breath, emphasizing the need for self-care. 
  • Pastor Susan Phillips talks about systemic oppression, the lack of accountability, and the need for justice and integrity in law enforcement. 
  • Susan Phillips reads a letter from the First Presbyterian Church offering condolences and calling for justice and community action. 
  • Katisia Ingram speaks about ongoing issues of police brutality, systemic racism, and the need for community action and accountability. She proposes a referendum for recall powers for elected officials. 
  • Reggie Guyton speaks about his experiences and the impact of Sonia Massey's death, calling for accountability and community support. He supports the recall referendum and emphasizes the need for active and transparent leadership. 
  • Milas Copeland introduces himself and begins his address, emphasizing the importance of community and board responsibility. 
  • Milas Copeland highlights the financial disparities faced by Sangamon County deputies compared to other law enforcement agencies. 
  • Milas Copeland continues to discuss the financial challenges and the impact on the department's competitiveness and morale. 
  • Milas Copeland emphasizes the need for competitive pay and resources to retain talented officers and prevent future issues. 
  • Teresa Haley speaks about the importance of dialogue and education regarding mental health and law enforcement interactions. 
  • Margaret Fultz speaks about the impact of police violence on her family and the need for better community relations and training for law enforcement. 
  • Miss Small proposes the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act and other reforms, emphasizing the need for continuous body camera usage and the elimination of discriminatory laws. 
  • Gina Lathan speaks about a resolution addressing hiring practices and standards for sheriff's deputies and jail security. 
  • Marc Ayers reflects on Sonia Massey's final words and the need for accountability and vigilance in the community. 
  • Mark Ayers emphasizes the importance of community involvement in meetings and the need for continuous efforts to achieve justice. 
  • Clerk reads Resolution 20, and Sam Cahnman moves for its passage and introduces an amendment for a binding referendum on the recall of the Sheriff. 
  • Sam Cahnman continues to argue for the recall mechanism, emphasizing public support and the democratic process. 
  • Chairman and parliamentarian discuss the procedural issues with Cahnman's amendment, arguing it is not germane to the original resolution. 
  • Chairman explains the importance of transparency and the Open Meetings Act, stating the amendment is not appropriate for the meeting. 
  • Sam Cahnman argues for the amendment's relevance and fairness, but the Chairman rules it out of order. 
  • A motion is made to overrule the Chairman's decision, leading to a roll call vote. 
  • Reggie Guyton explains the difference between an advisory and binding referendum and reports that Republicans on the county board deemed the referendum out of order, taking steps to kill it for the November ballot.