Agenda Packet 9-12-18 Work Session

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9 • We have a very expensive, new skate park near where many Latinos live, but they don’t skate. Need multicultural centers built and events held. (Latinx) • It should not be the responsibility of POC to educate whites. (Asian American) Law Enforcement Members of the various focus groups had interacted with the Eugene Police Department and sometimes with local campus police (LCC and UO). Because of the gravity of the relationship between the police and all of Eugene’s residents, but particularly the fact that the police hold the life and death of people in their hands, included here is a sampling of focus group participants’ experiences with law enforcement. Eugene Police Department • Once the police were called on me because a neighbor had reported that I was stealing a car; I was getting into my own car. It feels like they come when they’re called ON us, but not when they’re called BY us. (Latinx Family Member) • “I feel the least safe when I’m driving.” It’s a fear because of my experiences. There was a question about, is this really you, could you step out of the car. I’m afraid because I don’t know what is going to happen. (Trans) • My voice is not valued; I’m treated as a criminal. Police are scared of people of color. (Latinx) • I feel scared to call the police after seeing blacks being shot and killed. I won’t call the police because of that; I don’t trust them the way I did growing up. (Muslim) • After the tazing of the Chinese students, Chief Kerns was to set up an advisory group of Asian Americans, but it doesn’t meet. (Asian American) • I get pulled over a lot; my husband does not (he is white). (African American) • Latinos are profiled by whites, who call police about “suspicious” people – treated like criminals. (Latinx) • Seems less safe for Latinos in Eugene than decades ago, e.g., police behavior and public attitudes. (Latinx) • My sister was here, a Filipina, someone in “police gear” was trying to flirt with her – exotification of Asian women. (Asian American) • If a Latino is the victim, they don’t help. If a Latino may be the perpetrator, they come. (Latinx Family Member) • I called the cops. When they come in, and see these two guys, they are going to arrest US! (Pacific Islander) • No-one is going to call the cops. (Pacific Islander) • I have had really bad experiences with the police department. Showing my identification, gender doesn’t align. Officer took my license with him in Springfield. Towed my car because he didn’t believe it was me. (LGBTQ) • I do not trust police; I would never invite police to my home ever. (Native American/Alaska Native) Campus Police (LCC and UO) • I do not feel safe on campus, especially when police are armed or could be in the future. (Latinx) • Police are afraid of us; a lot of officers want to get armed. (Latinx) September 12, 2018, Work Session - Item 1