What started as a Syracuse Common Council meeting to discuss an Amendment to the Citizen Review Board (CRB), resulted in all but one Common Councilor walking out of the meeting.
The amendment under review was to prevent any findings from the Citizen Review Board from being admissible into court. Majority Leader and Councilor at-large Steven Thompson proposed this amendment to prevent findings of the Citizen Review Board from being used against the city.
“The purpose of the CRB I think we can all agree is to vy an open and transparent avenue for citizens to come board and air their grievances regarding the police department,” said Corporation Council Kristen Smith.
But, some of those grievances reach a federal level.
Last year Alonzo Grant, a man beaten by Syracuse police, was awarded $1.5 million after his lawyers used the Citizen Review Board’s investigation of his case in court.
However, this new amendment would limit that ability.
“Nobody on the council supports it, except the person who introduced it,” said Common Councilor At-Large Khalid Bey.
Dozens of concerned citizens also attended to show their opposition to the amendment. Some intended to speak, but once planned speakers had finished, the meeting dissolved.
“I think it should have been more clearly explained to some of the residents who came that maybe are unfamiliar with the proceedings and how it works,” said Ocesa Keaton, a meeting attendee.
While the meeting concluded without any resolve, Common Councilor Steven Thompson said he plans to arrange another, more public-participation friendly meeting.
“I’ve got to go back and talk with the councilors, see how they feel and set it up,” said Thompson.
