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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 11/10/2016 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS & DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2016 7:00 P.M., Eden Prairie Center Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: PG Narayanan (Chair), Sana Elassar(Vice Chair), Greg Leeper, Leslie Philmon, Shahram Missaghi, Ann Martinka, Joan Howe-Pullis STUDENT MEMBERS: Nia Colebrooke, Asiya Gelle, Ashwin Senthilkumar, Adrienne Retzlaff, Angela Lin, Carter Rislove COMMISSION STAFF: Patricia Fenrick, Staff Lorene McWaters, Recording Secretary I. ROLL CALL II. INTRODUCTIONS Following introductions, Vice Chair Elassar called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Narayanan, Philmon, Lin and Gelle were absent. III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Howe-Pullis moved, seconded by Leeper to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM OCTOBER MEETING MOTION: Howe-Pullis moved, seconded by Martinka to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. V. PRESENTATION Eden Prairie Police Captain Greg Weber discussed crimes of bias and the Commission's role in responding when these types of crimes happen in Eden Prairie. Weber said the term "crime of bias" is somewhat of a misnomer. He said certain crimes carry enhanced penalties if they are motivated by bias. Any crime motivated by bias must be reported to the State, which keeps statistics on these types of crimes. Weber handed out a copy of the State Reporting form. Weber said when abbias crime occurs in Eden Prairie, the Police Department is responsible for notifying the Human Rights & Diversity Commission. Weber said Human Rights & Diversity Commission Meeting November 10, 2016 Page 2 Eden Prairie is fortunate because very few bias crimes occur here. When one does occur, it is a priority for the Police Department to make sure everything is done correctly. Crimes eligible for enhanced sentences if they are found to be motivated by bias include assault, property crimes, stalking/harassment. Weber said there are cases in which the Police Department suspects a crime may be motivated by bias but the victim does not agree with that assessment. If the Police Department deems the crime to bias-motivated, it gets reported. Howe-Pullis asked what is considered harassment. Weber said harassment occurs if the individual feels they are being treated in a particular way due to the color of their skin, sexual orientation, gender, etc. He said there has not been a bias crime case reported in Eden Prairie for several years. The most notorious bias crime in recent years involved several boys creating a swastika out of wood chips. Weber said the boys did not even know the significance of the symbol, so the Police Department educated them on its history and required each of them to write a paper on the topic. Weber said a cross burning in the early 90s was carried out by an adolescent that the Police Department had contacts with before the incident. He said the department had tried to work with the family to get him boy back on track before the cross burning incident. Fenrick asked if there are people who do not report bias crimes because they do not want to make waves. Weber said that can happen; however, the police are always vigilant and try to help victims of bias crimes see them for what they are. He said some immigrants come from countries where the police forces are extremely corrupt. These immigrants often hesitate to report incidents due to the lack of trust in all police. Weber acknowledged that the relationship between communities and law enforcement is problematic in some communities across the nation. He said the Eden Prairie Police Department strives to be representative of the community it serves. It has made strides in hiring people of color, although there is still a way to go. He said the department is reviewing lists of demands that have been presented in other community in an effort to be proactive about identifying where problems exist. Howe-Pullis suggested having individuals from various minority communities —people of color, LGBT, etc. —make presentations to the Police Department. Weber said the Police Department does their best to connect with all facets of the community,but training demands can be overwhelming. The department does plan to implement a Parkinsons Awareness training program in 2017. Howe-Pullis said a forum format for discussing issues could be helpful in diffusing problems before they arise. Weber agreed that listening is critical. He said the department's Citizen Academy has added an element of transparency between the community and the police department. It is a six-week program that consist of three-hour sessions highlighting different areas of the Police Department—SWAT, traffic control, Human Rights & Diversity Commission Meeting November 10, 2016 Page 3 use of force, etc. He said the academy promotes building of relationships and allows participants to challenge the officers that run the academy in a safe and respectful environment. Weber said he learned as a young officer that people really need to be heard. Sometimes solving the issue is a simple as really listening. Fenrick said City Manager Rick Getschow has asked that the HRDC look into Police— community relations as part of their 2017 work plan. Howe-Pullis asked if Weber anticipates seeing more bias crimes due to the current political climate. She gave an example of a young black man who reportedly experienced three incidents in just one day. She said there is a lack of civility from the top down in public discourse, and this engenders fear in marginalized communities. Knee jerk responses can create tension and distrust. Weber acknowledged that there is a great divide in the country. He shared ways in which the Eden Prairie Police Department strives to represent everyone in the community, including being open to listening to ways in which it can connect with the community. Fenrick said it is important to let everyone know that about the Eden Prairie Manifesto and what it stands for. She suggested training"allies" for the manifesto. Missaghi noted that Eden Prairie is consistently listed as a top community in which to live. He asked how the Police Department contributes to that. Weber pointed to Eden Prairie's low crime rate. He said Eden Prairie has always hired good people who recognize the need for good relationships with the community, and who strive to have positive interactions. He provided examples of the Police Department unlocking people's cars, and having officers who are trained EMTs that go on medical calls. These are examples of sending officers into situations in which they can interact in a positive way. Colebrooke said she and a lot of her fellow students are concerned about civil rights in light of the national election. She asked how much training is dictated at the federal level. Weber said most training requirements are made by the state. He thinks there may be a mandate soon requiring Crisis Intervention Training for all officers. He said he hopes that mandate comes with funding. He said he also expects a mandate requiring use of body cameras to be instituted in the near future. Weber said the department has hired seven officers this year, and they are anticipating a number of retirements in the next five years. A lot of institutional knowledge will be lost with those retirements. He noted that the candidate pool is smaller than in the past, in part because of a negative perception of the profession fueled by the media. He said Eden Prairie is an affluent community so it can afford good training for officers, and our elected officials make it a priority. He said our officers train two to three hours a month, whereas officers in some communities train a lot less. State licensing requires 48 hours of continuing education training every three years. Human Rights & Diversity Commission Meeting November 10, 2016 Page 4 Senthilkumar asked about Trump's support for a"stop and frisk" policy. Weber said he does not think such a policy would ever be made law,but the practice could be viewed differently in the courts. Howe-Pullis asked how citizens can voice how they want their police to interact with the community. She asked if there is an organized process. Weber said lobbying the legislature can be very effective. Howe-Pullis asked if officers carry the backpacks for the homeless that PROP puts together. Weber said the Police have vouchers that they can give out when PROP is not open. Fenrick asked Weber to elaborate on the HRDC's role in responding to crimes of bias. Weber said any time a bias crime is reported, the HRDC staff liaison (Fenrick) is notified. The role of the HRDC is to provide a safe space in which the victim is able to process what has happened and make sure they feel heard. Fenrick said this process does not involve the entire HRDC, but rather a few members who are available when needed. Elassar provided general details of a bias crime that occurred a few years ago and which she helped address. Elassar asked whether the City of Eden Prairie has considered joining the Joint Community Police Partnership (JCCP). Weber said the City received an invitation to join last year,but the timelines for making a decision was too tight. Elassar said there is a lot of information about the program online. She said she would like the City to seriously consider joining. She said it is an excellent way to bring together marginalized communities and youth with the police in a positive manner. VI. REPORTS OF STAFF Fenrick said the Tapestry Project at Briar Hill concluded Thursday. She said the project kicked off and concluded with home cooked meals. She said the participants found that food and conversation go well together. She said food and conversation may be a platform from with some larger issues can be addressed. Elassar noted that the cooking classes had attendance issues,but perhaps that was because they were held at the Middle School and transportation may have been a roadblock. Fenrick said the City Manager has asked that the Commission brainstorm around police/community relations for 2017. Elassar suggested having police officers come in and cook a meal. She said it may work better for events to be held at apartment complexes where the target audiences live. Howe-Pullis said the Interfaith Circle will be having an inaugural event Dec. 4 from 3-5 p.m. at Eden Prairie High School. She will share the event poster when it is available. The event will include performance pieces, singing and dancing. Attendees at each table will have the opportunity to decide on a discussion topic. VII. OLD AND NEW BUSINESS Human Rights & Diversity Commission Meeting November 10, 2016 Page 5 A. LGBT DOT EXHIBIT AT HTC The LGBT DOT exhibit at Hennepin Tech was the first one outside of the DOT itself. Fenrick said she received positive feedback on the exhibit and the Ally Training from Hennepin Tech. The exhibit will be at the Pride Institute next. November is Native American Awareness Month. On Nov. 29 there will be a presentation for one of the nursing classes on indigenous medicine by a member of the Ogala Dakota tribe. The event is open to the public. B. 2017 WORKPLAN The commission will work intensely on the 2017 work plan at their next meeting in preparation for the upcoming workshop with the City Council. The City Manager has asked the HRDC to facilitate conversations about police/community relations. Fenrick asked Commissioners to think about their experiences and what they are hearing about how this needs to happen. Howe- Pullis said she knows of an individual who asked to speak to the City Council on this topic and they were directed to the City Manager. Elassar said the JCCP would be a very good place to start working on police/community relations. She suggested having someone from JCCP attend a commission meeting to talk about their work. C. OTHER BUSINESS There is no update on Eden Prairie Reads. Molly Koivumaki will be presenting at the next City Council Workshop on the Strategic Housing Plan. HRDC and members of the public are welcome to attend. People of Eden Prairie Project—The teacher Retzlaff thought might be interested in the project is not teaching the related course this year. Fenrick asked if the Commissioners still want to do the project this year. If so, there must be a commitment to make it happen. Howe-Pullis asked if the focus is "How great we are" or"Who we are"? Martinka said it is about who we are. Fenrick will meet with Mark Weber of the Eden Prairie Community Foundation, since it is providing the funds.. She feels there needs to be leadership outside the class,but they can still plug the class into the project. Fenrick will get back to Retzlaff, and will send the document to the Commissioners to prepare for discussion at the December meeting. The Minnesota Department of Human Rights Symposium is on December 8. The cost is $110 for in-person attendance, and $55 for virtual attendance. Human Rights & Diversity Commission Meeting November 10, 2016 Page 6 VIII. NEXT MEETING—December 8, 2016 IX. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Elassar moved, seconded by Missaghi, to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.