Once again CB #5 EAST NEW YORK BKLYN is ahead of the curve!

In 2015 Community Board #5 was the only CB in the city of NYC that submitted a solution against the "stop & search form of policing. The resolution was drafted by Vincent Riggins President of Brite Leadership Coalition and Chair of the Public Safety Committee at that time. The full board under the chairmanship of A. T. Mitchell voted unanimously in favor of the resolution. Their advocacy was proven to be justified based on the compiled data (comstat, PROP)that monitored that form of policing. It did not reduce gun violence or crime, one can make a case that it actually contributed to a lack of civility and respect among citizens by them taken their frustration out on fellow residents.

Community Board #5 (Public Safety/Quality of Life) Co-chair Vincent Riggins and Co-chair Paul Muhammad) once again added its advocacy in support of the "Elected Civilian Review Board" currently being combed over in the city council. Councilmember Inez Barron Dist. 42 sponsored the legislation in conjunction with the ECRB Campaign. This past summer national uprising demands that law enforcement accountability must be addressed in a timely fashion. They believe the ECRB legislation will serve the Black and Brown communities that are the #1 communities victimized by law enforcement. The three primary tenents of the legislation are to have a special prosecutor, with members elected from the residents throughout the city with the power to make binding disciplinary decisions when law enforcement breaks the law or the patrol guide. The commissioner under the current system was given that awesome responsibility. CB #5 is planning to partner with other CBO's in reaching out to other community boards, city council members, and candidates to encourage them to also sign a letter of support in favor of the legislation.

Vincent Riggins (BLC) has already met with the chief of community affairs NYPD Joseph Maddrey and the Mayors' office with a PowerPoint presentation to reimagine Pct. councils. He believes that an ECRB working closely with Pct. councils and their proposed ability to vet commanding officers are more relevant now than ever. Mayor DeBlasio's recent announcement to give pct. councils the ability to influence who their CO's will be, required civility, respect, and enforced guidelines for civic engagement by community members that are willing to serve.

Brite Leadership Coalition meets once a week to give those most affected an opportunity to add their voice to reimagine Safety Beyond Policing.