HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-16-20; 7-b - Discussion on a Potential Community Forum Regarding Policing and Racial Justice and Equity in Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 16, 2020
Action Agenda
Item No. 7-b
SUBJECT: Discussion on a Potential Community Forum Regarding Policing and Racial
Justice and Equity in Orange County
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S):
Potential Resolution
INFORMATION CONTACT:
Commissioner Mark Dorosin, (919) 245-
2130
Commissioner Mark Marcoplos, (919)
245-2130
PURPOSE: To discuss a potential community forum regarding policing and racial justice and
equity in Orange County and a resolution calling for such a forum.
BACKGROUND: Commissioners Mark Dorosin and Mark Marcoplos recently shared the
attached resolution with other Board members and suggested the Board might want to discuss
this topic and potential consideration of the attached resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: There is no Orange County Social Justice Goal impact associated
with discussing this item. The resolution addresses multiple Orange County Social Justice
Goals, as would the potential community forum.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: There is no Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal
impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss a potential
community forum regarding policing and racial justice and equity in Orange County and the
resolution calling for such a forum.
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RES-2020-041
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
A RESOLUTION CALLING FOR A COMMUNITY PUBLIC FORUM TO DISCUSS ISSUES
OF POLICING AND RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY IN ORANGE COUNTY.
WHEREAS, the residents of Orange County, North Carolina are committed to discussing
and addressing issue of structural racism, inclusion, racial equity, and the continuing
legacy of racial segregation and discrimination in this community; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2020, the Board of County Commissioners adopted “A Resolution
denouncing the murder of George Floyd and addressing the health director’s declaration
of structural racism as a “public health crisis” in Orange County” and committed to
working to dismantling structural racism; and
WHEREAS across the nation local governments and the communities they represent are
engaging in a wide-ranging review of police policies and practices in light of these tragic
events, and
WHEREAS Orange County places a high priority on community engagement,
participation, and transparency; and
WHEREAS unlike municipalities in our state, which directly control their police
departments, the Sheriff is an independently elected official under the North Carolina
Constitution and the Sheriff’s Office is an independent county agency, but by this
resolution seeks it’s partnership in addressing these issues.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
will conduct a community public forum to discuss issues of policing and racial justice and
equity in Orange County, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners will
request that the Sheriff and the Sheriff’s Office be a full and equal partner with the BOCC
in planning, organizing, and leading the forum.
This the 16th Day of June, 2020.
________________________________________
Penny Rich, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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