AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin Mayor Steve Adler shared his thoughts Sunday morning on the events of the past two weeks, including protests in downtown Austin and the Austin Police Department's response to them.
"This week, we witnessed generations of injustice and inequality reach a boiling point, and many of you have reached out to me in response," Adler wrote. "The emails, phone calls, testimony -- as well as the protests -- have expressed very clearly that the systemic killing of Black Americans by police officers in the US and here is a stain on our communities and must stop."
Adler also touched on the police response to the protests, and the underlying issues driving the outrage.
"Austin is a progressive, caring, innovative, friendly, supportive city. We need a police force that in conduct, practice, and spirit is part and parcel of that. We need a police force that supports, implements, shares and, yes, even champions the uniquely Austin culture to which we aspire – even as it works with demonstrations protests."
"We have to get this right. Every challenge our city faces is complicated by race and inequity. We can’t work on a more affordable Austin, transit, traffic, policing, homelessness, health care, access to capital, education, housing… without confronting our systemic inequities. Until the color of a person’s skin and their zip code is no longer a predictor of early death, we will be unable to make true progress on any other issue."
Adler's letter went on to detail his position on several issues, including the implementation of the remaining "8 Can't Wait" policies, and committing to review and reform police use of force policies.
During a meeting scheduled for this Thursday, the Austin City Council is expected to consider policies on police use of force, as well as other police reforms. Adler, in his letter, specifically mentions prohibiting tear gas and impact munitions on those "exercising the first amendment," along with taking action to demilitarize the police, strictly limiting the use of no-knock warrants and facial recognition technology, and delaying a new APD cadet class until training curriculum can be adjusted.
Adler also acknowledged that fixing the issues is about more than police reforms.
"We should aspire and act to realize an Austin policing model that does not make addressing poverty and mental health the responsibility of our police," Adler said. "We should be investing elsewhere in services and support that are better equipped to deal with and resolve these underlying issues."
"Change will not happen overnight," Adler concluded. "These issues demand transformative change. With continued deliberate action, our community will be better for everyone."