Members of Nassau County's Public Safety
Committee were presented with a police reform plan that some community members
say would lead to significant and equitable changes.
"The People's Plan" is a more
than 300-page strategy from members of community groups who say the goal is to
“reimagine policing and public safety on Long Island.”
Nassau county lawmakers scheduled a joint
hearing with the committee and the Legislature so members could hear the
details of the plan and ask questions.
Among the proposals – changing how traffic
safety and traffic stops are handled with those who are people of color.
"This plan...makes the statement that
driving while Black in not a crime,” says Tyrel Dozier, of Long Island United
to Transform Policing & Public Safety. “The People's Plan proposal aims to
have Nassau County join other forward-thinking districts in Maryland,
Philadelphia, Virginia, even Texas. By restricting police officers in engaging
in pretextual stops and warrantless searches."
News 12 reported that dozens of community
members on advisory panels tasked to come up with a state-mandated police
reform plan abruptly resigned after saying their voices were not being heard.
Members of those groups say the county's
proposal does not adequately address fundamental reform.