Shaker Heights and Shaker Citizens for Fair Ticketing PAC agree to Framework; PAC withdraws proposed Charter amendments from November ballot
After a series of discussions between the City of Shaker Heights and the Shaker Citizens for Fair Ticketing PAC, an agreement has been reached on a Framework for “Maintaining a Safe and Just Shaker.” A Resolution adopting the Framework was passed by City Council on August 28th. As a result, the PAC is withdrawing its proposed Charter amendments from the November 2023 ballot.
The City and the Shaker Citizens for Fair Ticketing PAC acknowledge the importance of the issue of unbiased policing and a just city, and recognize the open dialogue contributed by the Fair Ticketing PAC and other key stakeholders in the City on this issue.
In lieu of the Charter amendments proposal, the agreed-upon “Framework for Maintaining a Safe and Just Shaker” calls for, among other things:
- A community-wide Listening Project, designed and facilitated by an independent third-party facilitator and/or consultant, to have a community-wide discussion on policing policies and practices;
- A commitment by the City to continue working towards an expansion of its Mental Health Response Program;
- Creation of a Community Advisory Group to advise the Mayor (in their elected role and as Safety Director), the Police Chief, the Chief Administrative Officer, and City Council; and
- The posting online of public records of the Shaker Heights Police Department to make access easier for the public, including data by demographic and other metrics.
The City acknowledges that profiling and bias in policing exists throughout our nation, and that this national problem has disproportionately negatively impacted people of color. Shaker Heights is committed to its efforts to combat this problem by continuing to work toward safe, equitable, transparent, and accountable policing, to avoid biased or discriminatory policing, and to strive to achieve a just City for all persons who live, work and visit the City.
CONTACTS
City of Shaker Heights
Ann McGuire, Director of Communications
216-491-1338
ann.mcguire@shakeronline.com
Shaker Citizens for Fair Ticketing
Ethan Khorana
Campaign Manager
585-851-6327
eakhorana@gmail.com