San Antonio City Council Creates A Forum For Dialogue About Policing

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

June 10, 2020

The San Antonio City Council Public Safety Committee will host three community listening sessions to gather feedback on policing in San Antonio. The meetings will be live streamed on TVSA AT&T channel 99, Grande channel 20, Spectrum channel 21, digital antenna 16.1, www.sanantonio.gov/TVSA or on the City’s Facebook page. Participants can also listen live by calling (210) 207-5555 and enter the password 1111.

“Civic engagement is crucial to our democracy, and community voices are particularly important as we develop policies related to public safety procedures,” said Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “These listening sessions will provide important guidance regarding the public’s priorities and expectations.”

The Public Safety Committee, which is chaired by Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, will host three listening sessions, one in-person event and two virtual meetings. Councilmembers Jada Andrews-Sullivan, Rebecca Viagran, Ana Sandoval and Clayton Perry also sit on the committee.

"The killing of George Floyd on May 25 has ignited a national conversation regarding the relationship between law enforcement, communities of color and other under-served segments of the community. The public demonstrations that are taking place in cities across the country are an expression of anger and frustration, but they are also a demand for meaningful action to address concerns over systemic unfairness and mistrust toward government and law enforcement in particular. We as a council must hear what San Antonians have to say. In that spirit, we are holding these listening sessions," said District 6 Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, Chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee. "I look forward to hearing from the people we represent."

Session 1
Monday, June 15, 2020
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting

Session 2
Thursday, June 18, 2020
3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
City Council Chambers

Session 3
Saturday, June 20, 2020
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting

“Across the country and right here in San Antonio, thousands of people have voiced their concerns and asked for change. The City is committed to addressing systemic racism and advancing equity and I welcome our residents to join us and share their ideas for change,” said City Manager Erik Walsh.

Residents can provide comments through a form on the City’s website, visiting www.SASpeakUp.com, by texting SAPolice to 55000 or by submitting a voicemail to (210) 207-6991. Residents who would like to speak during the meeting via live call back should include their name and telephone number in their voicemail.

Residents who would like to participate in the in-person meeting can sign up for public comment at this link in advance of each meeting.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.