Body Cams for Macomb Police Dept.-Because We Care
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“Body Cams”(BWCs) for Macomb Police
Department-Because We Care
Our Story:
The recent killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others, culminating with the murder of George Floyd who was killed by a police officer’s knee on his neck, sent people of many colors to the streets in cities and towns globally to protest police violence against people of color. These movements even reached into small towns in rural America including far-flung Forgottonia. Shortly after, Black Lives Matter protests began to take place here.
But, our community’s attention to and awareness of racism turned in that direction over a year ago after a local event with decidedly racist overtones became national news. As a result, local citizens began talking about racism, developing book clubs, discussion groups, town halls and workshops focused on racism that were attended by local leaders and citizens. These continue during the COVID-19 pandemic with even more attention being drawn to the issue because of the #BlackatWIU Twitter hashtag.
At a recent Zoom event hosted by our local NAACP about policing, our police chief, Curt Barker, was asked about Body Worn Cameras (BWC). He noted that this was something needed in the department and that he wanted every officer to have this equipment. There are grants available via the Law Enforcement Body Worn Camera Act. But, now, because of the pandemic, these grants are unavailable.
His comment sparked the idea to launch this non-partisan GoFundMe campaign supporting the MPD and our citizens at a time when, there is a climate of fear and distrust here as well as, a nationwide movement to reinvent police procedures, policies, and duties. Our team is composed of local citizens, public officials, and long time residents. This campaign will help move Macomb forward as a united community seeking to be welcoming to all people, and is part of a systemic, sustainable culture change that involves us finding ways to work together.
The PEW Charitable Trust’s “Stateline” publication in 1/20 reports that 80% of large police departments have BWCs vs 31% in small communities due to cost. The CATO Institute 2016 report notes that 89% of all Americans support requiring police officers to record on duty interactions; 75% believe such a policy will equally protect both the officers and citizens in their interactions.
Studies have shown that BWC’s are critical in recording true, visible documentation for the public about officer and community encounters including car stops, frisking, servicing of warrants, dealing with individuals having mental health issues, arrests and officer involved shootings. They offer vital proof that officers are acting within the law.
Benefits to both citizens and officers include:
*Playing a key role in defending officers from false accusations,
*Protecting against miscarriages of justice for citizens and police,
*Providing a useful tool in training officers through analysis of incidents as well as in conducting investigations and in hiring,
*Helping law enforcement agencies be proactive in preventing false narratives potentially avoiding property damage and violence,
*And establishing systemic change in the department’s transparency and accountability.
Campaign Goal:
We are setting a goal of $33,000 that will be used to purchase Panasonic BWC for each officer; its' software aligns with Panasonic laptops and car cams now in use. Chief Barker estimates the total start-up costs to be $66,000 and has agreed to match the funds we raise. Moving forward, Chief Barker agreed to provide the funding through his department’s budget annually for maintenance including replacement/repair, software/technology video storage/disposal, and training. An annual expenditure he estimates to be a $5000 commitment.
We have several videos and comments made by those in our community committed to and endorsing this campaign. We will upload additional videos and comments to the Facebook Group: Improving the Macomb, IL Police and Our Community as the campaign moves forward. You are invited to join and post your own support on the group page.
We hope you see that this is an important, worthwhile initiative that will benefit our MPD and our citizens. And, that you will join us to reach this goal with a donation. We understand that at this time there are many needs by many individuals, organizations, and businesses. But, no donation is too small and added together, those donations become larger and will enable us to meet our goal!
Thank you for your time, attention and consideration! Take care and carry on!
The (BWC) “Because We Care” Team,
Cara Erude, Vanessa Huston, Sue Marshall, Sarah Schoper,
Concerned Individuals and Citizens
Michael Inman, Macomb Mayor, Scott Coker, Macomb City Manager
Curt Barker, Macomb Police Chief
Department-Because We Care
Our Story:
The recent killings of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others, culminating with the murder of George Floyd who was killed by a police officer’s knee on his neck, sent people of many colors to the streets in cities and towns globally to protest police violence against people of color. These movements even reached into small towns in rural America including far-flung Forgottonia. Shortly after, Black Lives Matter protests began to take place here.
But, our community’s attention to and awareness of racism turned in that direction over a year ago after a local event with decidedly racist overtones became national news. As a result, local citizens began talking about racism, developing book clubs, discussion groups, town halls and workshops focused on racism that were attended by local leaders and citizens. These continue during the COVID-19 pandemic with even more attention being drawn to the issue because of the #BlackatWIU Twitter hashtag.
At a recent Zoom event hosted by our local NAACP about policing, our police chief, Curt Barker, was asked about Body Worn Cameras (BWC). He noted that this was something needed in the department and that he wanted every officer to have this equipment. There are grants available via the Law Enforcement Body Worn Camera Act. But, now, because of the pandemic, these grants are unavailable.
His comment sparked the idea to launch this non-partisan GoFundMe campaign supporting the MPD and our citizens at a time when, there is a climate of fear and distrust here as well as, a nationwide movement to reinvent police procedures, policies, and duties. Our team is composed of local citizens, public officials, and long time residents. This campaign will help move Macomb forward as a united community seeking to be welcoming to all people, and is part of a systemic, sustainable culture change that involves us finding ways to work together.
The PEW Charitable Trust’s “Stateline” publication in 1/20 reports that 80% of large police departments have BWCs vs 31% in small communities due to cost. The CATO Institute 2016 report notes that 89% of all Americans support requiring police officers to record on duty interactions; 75% believe such a policy will equally protect both the officers and citizens in their interactions.
Studies have shown that BWC’s are critical in recording true, visible documentation for the public about officer and community encounters including car stops, frisking, servicing of warrants, dealing with individuals having mental health issues, arrests and officer involved shootings. They offer vital proof that officers are acting within the law.
Benefits to both citizens and officers include:
*Playing a key role in defending officers from false accusations,
*Protecting against miscarriages of justice for citizens and police,
*Providing a useful tool in training officers through analysis of incidents as well as in conducting investigations and in hiring,
*Helping law enforcement agencies be proactive in preventing false narratives potentially avoiding property damage and violence,
*And establishing systemic change in the department’s transparency and accountability.
Campaign Goal:
We are setting a goal of $33,000 that will be used to purchase Panasonic BWC for each officer; its' software aligns with Panasonic laptops and car cams now in use. Chief Barker estimates the total start-up costs to be $66,000 and has agreed to match the funds we raise. Moving forward, Chief Barker agreed to provide the funding through his department’s budget annually for maintenance including replacement/repair, software/technology video storage/disposal, and training. An annual expenditure he estimates to be a $5000 commitment.
We have several videos and comments made by those in our community committed to and endorsing this campaign. We will upload additional videos and comments to the Facebook Group: Improving the Macomb, IL Police and Our Community as the campaign moves forward. You are invited to join and post your own support on the group page.
We hope you see that this is an important, worthwhile initiative that will benefit our MPD and our citizens. And, that you will join us to reach this goal with a donation. We understand that at this time there are many needs by many individuals, organizations, and businesses. But, no donation is too small and added together, those donations become larger and will enable us to meet our goal!
Thank you for your time, attention and consideration! Take care and carry on!
The (BWC) “Because We Care” Team,
Cara Erude, Vanessa Huston, Sue Marshall, Sarah Schoper,
Concerned Individuals and Citizens
Michael Inman, Macomb Mayor, Scott Coker, Macomb City Manager
Curt Barker, Macomb Police Chief
Organizer and beneficiary
Sue Marshall
Organizer
Macomb, IL
Scott Coker
Beneficiary
