Another murder, another candlelight vigil, another march, another meeting.
Tonight, Annapolis police Chief Scott Baker and others will be meeting with members of the community at the Rosalie Community Center, 1014 President Street, Annapolis, Maryland. The purpose of the meeting is to “hear” from the community. I think that the community has already spoken loud and clear. I have been at so many of these meetings in the past, it is predictable what will be said tonight, e.g., need more police, more prayers, more jobs, etc.
No. What is needed is a plan. A real plan.Here is what I want to share with the community. Hopefully, people will not only listen but act:
A few months ago, Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell-Charles had forwarded me an anti-violence initiative that came out of Richmond and Oakland, California.
It is a perfect solution for Annapolis’ problems. It focuses on putting resources on addressing systemic barriers that lead to the problems we see in Annapolis today.
See the reports here:
Agenda Report Oakland 4.7.2017
Powerpoint Presentation, Oakland 5.9.17
I met with Mayor-elect Gavin Buckley and strongly recommended that he and Alderwoman Pindell-Charles introduce legislation modeled after the successful Richmond/Oakland program. These initiatives are problem-solving not feel good or shouting sessions.
I have indicated to Mayor-elect Buckley that he has a mandate. He needs to try new methods to solve old problems.
I can say without equivocation that the Oakland model will work in Annapolis. What we need is not another meeting. We need a plan.
I have given my recommendations to the city officials. Their time and the community’s would be better spent on solving the problem, rather than another meeting discussing the problem.
I hope that if Mayor-elect Buckley and Alderwoman Pindell-Charles attend, they share the proposal with the community.
A Luta Continua!
Carl Snowden is a political and civil rights leader in Annapolis.
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