Hot Seat Council Mayor Police Chief

Members of the Monroe City Council listened in silence Tuesday, May 25, 2021 as several citizens voiced their deep concerns over recent Monroe police officers' conduct. Though there are sometimes limited comments from council members when citizens from the audience voice their concerns over civic matters, none of the council members said anything. There wasn't even a head nod to acknowledge what concerned citizens were saying. Members of the city council are keenly aware of recent and long-standing events involving officers of the Monroe Police Department (MPD). Citizens have voiced complaints and are now filing lawsuits. As Tuesday's night regular session ended, two concerned citizens rose to voice their concerns. The first was Michael Gibson, who said that the citizens of Monroe had been failed by a lack of action by the city council behind all of the deaths of people in the custody of the Monroe Police Department. Gibson also said that the council, mayor, and other administrators should meet with Police Chief Zordan. He said that he "is standing for the people that he knew personally" as he called the names of Earl Grant and David Harris. Gibson noted that those individuals are from the southside, "his part of town," where people can't walk down the street without the threat of Monroe Police stopping them. An example that Gibson shared was that MPD could stop an individual on a bicycle on one side of a street for alleged obstruction of a passageway. The next week, that same individual could be stopped on the opposite side of the street cited the same charge. "You can't feel comfortable in your neighborhood," said Gibson. "I have kids, and I want my kids to grow up and be safe in my city." Worst of all, Gibson is upset that many council members have yet to offer any words or condolences to the families, though he acknowledged hearing from Councilwomen Juanita Woods and Kema Dawson of Districts 3 & 4, respectively. "Though I haven't heard from the rest of you, if you don't say anything [council], I hear you. This city is dangerous, and something needs to be done about the Monroe Police Department." Gibson said. Longtime community activist and former Monroe City Schools Board member, Verbon Muhammad was also critical of council members, saying, "This is why the people don't have any confidence in this council and this leadership." Muhammad also shared that he doesn't understand why the city has hired another attorney to represent the police when the city has attorneys who make good money to do the work and feels the city is wasting taxpayers' money. Muhammad said that the community wants the council to do what is right. "That's all we are asking you to do. We are not giving up." he continued. Despite hopes that another police custody death never happens Muhammad, questioned the council on if they will sit quietly again. Instead, they should have a strategy to prevent these types of issues. He recommended that the council collectively pass a resolution so that the next time an in-custody death happens, an external investigation should happen immediately. That resolution should state that any investigation such as Harris', should be turned over to another reliable investigative agency. Muhammad closed, demaining what many citizens have been asking Mayor Ellis and Chief Zordan - release the body cams. Then all can move forward.