Mitch Ward Addresses City's First Foray Into Policing, Racism

This is an email from Manhattan Beach resident and former MB mayor Mitch Ward, who fought to have a city park, on land once owned by Blacks, named after the family that was forced to leave it behind. Ward, who was originally going to participate on the panel in the forum, chose not to.

Manhattan Beach Patch published his remarks then. Now, after watching the forum, MB Patch is publishing his latest remarks.

From Mitch Ward:

Manhattan Beach has taken a historic step by successfully hosting the Implicit Bias, Policing and Racism forum on 7.9.2020. For me the experience was cathartic.

We listened and we learned a lot.

Now, where do we go?

I want to thank the Manhattan Beach City Council, City Manager, Chief of Police, the moderator, city staff and all the participants in Manhattan Beach's first and historical forum on implicit bias and policing in our town.

I heard a compassionate Chief of Police Derrick Abell who leads a staff of highly trained and professional police officers, some of them I have known for decades. To me they have always exemplified a high level of integrity and care for our community. We learned during the forum that there is a need for some changes which will further improve our department.

I also heard a Chief of Police convey his personal expectations for his men and women in uniform: "treat others as you wish to be treated."

I heard things that our Chief of Police may have found difficult to hear but necessary. I believe this initial, frank, and open discussion of racism and policing in our city enlightened many.

I saw a City Council show courage to listen first and learn second. I heard a city leadership willing to act upon what they heard. This is progress, small in some eyes, but a large step for our community.

Mayor Montgomery repeatedly implored speakers to “follow-up” with the Chief of Police with their complaints or concerns. These are invitations for dialog which is good.

Councilmember Napolitano was keenly listening to the public. He agreed with Councilmember Hersman’s passionate and thoughtful remarks, which included the topic of restitution for the Charles and Willa Bruce family. Hersman said "not saying I support it, but I think the council should discuss."

Like a seasoned Manhattan Beach City Councilmember, Mayor Pro-Tem Hadley listened patiently to all three hours of presenters.

Councilmember Stern, unbruised from the task, is to be commended for masterfully working with the full city council and the public to successfully coordinate this historical forum - the first of hopefully many as we continuously discuss the "state of our city".

I heard one of the most passionate and heartfelt commitments from the Superintendent of Manhattan Beach Schools, Dr. Michael Matthews. Not only does Dr. Matthews preside over some of the best academic excellence in our nation, but his promise to do all he can to combat racism on our campuses is highly encouraging and we should all be pleased with this initial step and his leadership.

“Kids learn from their mistakes” Dr. Matthews said. So can adults.

I heard a Black mom tell us how concerned she is for her two Black children when they leave home for school. She worries that people will treat them as if they do not belong in Manhattan Beach.
I heard a young woman who has felt the pain of racism at high school but now is standing up to try and make change in an adult environment.

I heard a young man, after being stopped by MB PD, say he simply wanted to eat his “delicious El Tarasco burrito and get home.” It was “2 am” and his “mom was already worried.”

I heard a young woman say "I was walking up from the pier [Blacks walking nearby]. Police pull out AR-15s on them, I couldn't believe this was happening. This intimidation why was it needed? I was really sad to hear this in our neighborhood."

I heard the Chamber of Commerce organization that indicated it can do better and will do better for its minority community of businesses that it represents. The Chamber is led by a minority female and she is exploring ways to increase opportunities for more minority businesses in the City of Manhattan Beach.

I heard compassionate pleas from our local clergy who are a source of cohesion and solitude for many of us in the city.

Most importantly, I heard many raw comments from the people this forum was created to channel. My notes from the Zoom broadcast are below. The comments show, collectively, we have a lot of work to do to make our city truly feel like it is more racially inclusive and less biased in general.

I am willing to work with anyone who wants to be proactive to address the concerns raised. We must present policies that will address these "facts or felt" reasons people feel unwelcomed or biased against in our beautiful city. We cannot run away from it.

Let's plan for the next step because as Mrs. Clinton stated in the meeting "Manhattan Beach is not magically detached.

Racism hovers...racism is alive and well in Manhattan Beach." I know we can change this.
Manhattan Beach, we cannot let this moment pass without taking steps to make positive change.

My notes taken of comments are below.....
"Fact or felt...there is a disconnect."
"How do we better connect with people of color?"
"Many biases in local media."
"In 2000 mobile videos placed in [police] cars."
"2016 body worn cameras implemented frustrated officers. Having to manually turn on - someday we will have auto turn on."
"Defunding police - calmer heads should prevail when you talk about defunding."
"We look at everything, determine what the best [police] practices is."
"Racial profiling I don't believe if there is a problem within this [police] organization. No I don't believe we do. We all should be listening."
"Not disproportionally arresting anyone. 236 Blacks and 822 whites."
"Your voice is being heard by us. Good template. Start broadly, good bad, ugly. Hone down see what actions we take."
"It is not mutually exclusive to support the police department and Blacks. Even if not reality. Good start lets keep it going."
"[Manhattan Beach] Not a welcoming city."

"[Minorities] Not welcomed at all."

"White toxicity in Manhattan Beach.

"Make people welcome in Manhattan Beach."

"From the City's own data, [Blacks] 120 times more likely to be arrested."

"Racial profiling - police trained in the academy way, six months is not long enough."
"Putting their arms around our necks, put their knees on our neck."
"Eight can't wait...it’s just the beginning."
"I'm walking a white neighborhood they ask me for my ID. I don't have to show that to them."
"Black people are pulled over because they don't look like they belong there."
"Want this to be a safe town for people before we invite more in."
"Hug a neighbor that doesn't look like you."
"We can't live separate but equal. We have to be real about that."
"He pulled me over for no reason put my license in his pocket tried to talk to me."
"Well thought out and thorough presentation."
"Display in the police station’s lobby of night sticks. Like having a history of what they use to beat people with."
"What are you doing instead of just going to a protest?"
"Black men and Kool-aid retweeted - address this."
"I've been stopped by police a few times. I didn't feel profiled."
"I have empathy growing up in a Black community. Most people have no concept to be a police officer. Respect police officers. How they are behaving when they approach a police officer."

"Some say racism is not here. By the time I was seven, five times" [she had seen it personally].
"Police called on me for parking on a residential street. I'm a dark skinned Indian man and they are calling police interaction when it's not needed."

"Drugs and alcohol in school and vaping are problems."
"Police murdered my brother in 2006." [Not in Manhattan Beach]
"When I get pulled over I wanna go back home."
"Put your hands on your dash, that's not enough."
"I'm ask for proof I go to high school."
"My insurance card outside my glove compartment - registration and insurance in my door."
"This is the way I have to live today."
"They don't live here."

"Saddened to have to talk about this now. Implicit bias is real."
"Parents at Mira Costa treated like a token family. We have been raised here."
"Very concerning disparities."
"Heart breaking story."
"Bias pompous toward Blacks."
"We stole the [Charles and Willa] Bruces’ home. Give them back the home."
"Exclusionary society."
"City members, Bruce's Beach payment needs to be. Easy solution to try and amend that."
"Start the anti-racist movement. It should be the role of parents."
"So appreciative of women of color revealing personal trauma."
"Concrete example of racism, Sand Dune policy. People from all over came, all the rest of Southern California comes to Sand Dunes."
"When you sell your home, welcome people of color."
"There is implicit bias."
"Police presence in schools contribute to making Black and Brown people feel uncomfortable."

"How long is this going to go on?"

Mitch Ward

Former Mayor and Council member Manhattan Beach

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