KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Monday, the California-based OIR group held its second public input session regarding the response of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) officers to protests held over the summer.
During this virtual meeting, citizens were offered the opportunity to speak in a public medium to voice their concerns and testimony. This was the second of two planned virtual sessions to collect information, with the first taking place earlier in January.
The City of Kalamazoo contracted with OIR Group to complete an independent assessment of KDPS’s response to protests that occurred on May 30 – June 2, 2020, and on August 15, 2020.
Criticism has been aimed at KDPS and city leaders for their responses to the incidents, with some saying that there was less police presence during a Proud Boys Rally in August that turned violent than there was for Black Lives Matter events that took place earlier in 2020.
The city subsequently tasked OIR Group with independently investigating police conduct during those incidents. The group was chosen with input from the Citizens Public Safety Review and Appeals Board.
Further criticism has since been expressed over the announcement of former Chief Karianne Thomas retiring from the department, when in reality, she was fired by City Manager Jim Ritsema.
Michael Gennaco of OIR Group said that the group is trying to identify issues of concern to Kalamazoo citizens in relation to these incidents, and all are welcome to participate.
“The goal, the objective, is to try to find answers, in particular with regard to the Department of Public Safety’s response to the protest activity that occurred this past summer,” Gennaco said. “That is our scope, that is what we’ve been asked to do, and the goal is to provide answers. Ultimately, we intend to produce a report that will provide evidence-based information about what happened, about things that may have gone well or not so well, and most significantly, provide a report that will have recommendations that are intended to improve the way in which Public Safety in particular, and the city in general, will be better-equipped to handle future challenges, similar challenges to this.”
He said that those challenges will come at some point, and it will be better that the public safety department and city is prepared for them.
The open public hearing started at 6 p.m. and lasted until around 7:30, with the OIR group fielding calls for about an hour.
“I think that every community has to take a deep look within themselves and say, ‘how do we get better,’ and what systematic racist rules and regulations are hindering growth, and how do we overcome these biases and how do we work together to create change in the community?” one caller stated. “I don’t think it’s about pointing fingers and saying that the police didn’t do this right, or citizens didn’t do this right. I think it’s about acknowledging systematic racism exists, and that until we are willing to openly talk about how that racism is impacting persons who have privileges versus people who do not have privilege, how it is impacting the ability of the communicate with each other effectively, then we’re just going in circles and playing the blame game.”
Other callers, such as Sarah Ruggles, said that she would like the board to review all public comments to the Kalamazoo Board of Commissioners, especially those that occurred following the events.
“The citizens of Kalamazoo have spoken clearly, and in record turnout, during those sessions,” Moore said. “I ask that you review all of that thoroughly, and please heed the word of the citizens that have spoken.”
Like the previous meeting, Michael Gennaco said that all input is valued in this investigation.
“We are certainly considering all of these comments as part of our overall intake,” Gennaco said.
At this time, no other public input sessions have been announced or scheduled. However, area residents are still invited to share their testimony with OIR Group electronically.
Community members can provide comments directly to OIR Group by email at michael.gennaco@oirgroup.com or by calling (323) 412-0334.
Residents can also submit comments to https://www.oirgroup.com/contact.
The meeting can be viewed online via the city’s YouTube page at this link, or view the embedded video below.
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