Proposition A is on Deck for Voters This May, Here is What You Need to Know
Proposition A is on deck to be voted on in the upcoming municipal election that will be taking place on May 6th, 2023.
After a lengthy and controversial dispute between state and city politicians and members of the San Antonio community, the future of the initiative will go to the voting booths and be decided on once and for all.
THE JUSTICE DIRECTOR
The initiative, if voted for, will require that the San Antonio City Council appoint a Justice Director to act as a non-biased separate entity to work in tandem with city law enforcement officials in order to reduce incarceration and controversial law enforcement practices.
ABORTION – NO KNOCK WARRANTS – CHOKE HOLDS
Under this measure, San Antonio police officers are prohibited from issuing citations or making arrests for Class A or Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana offenses, being prohibited from investigating, making arrests, or enforcing any state law that criminalizes abortion, being unable to obtain a no-knock search warrant, and ban the use of a chokehold or neck restraint by San Antonio police officers.
In addition to these stipulations, the proposition also stands several checks and balances through several activities that the Justice Director will be responsible for in an effort to maintain community transparency.
The Justice Director cannot have a previous background or affiliation in law enforcement and will coordinate quarterly meetings with the San Antonio Police Department, a representative from the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office and representatives from community organizations, to discuss both the development of policies, procedures, and practices related to this justice policy as well as data gathered concerning the implementation of the justice policy. Upon the conclusion of each of these meetings, input raised during such quarterly meetings shall be meaningfully considered, and the Justice Director will report back to the City Council.
S.A. VOTING ORGS PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CITY
A recent letter was sent to City Council on behalf of several voting organizations such as Act 4 SA, Texas Organizing Project, and Move Texas, in which they proposed an amendment be made to the initiative. The main reason for the amendment is not only is the language too long and cumbersome but it does nothing to lend itself to assist with comprehension or understanding for those who are solely Spanish speakers or have less than a high school education.
See the full PROPOSED Amendment Letter from voting organizations to the city below:
for Proposition A known as the San Antonio Justice CharterDownload
SAPOA’S OPEN LETTER TO THE CITY, EXPANSION OF CITE AND RELEASE
All of this comes down to transparency in an effort to work more collaboratively between the police community and the greater community. Much of the opposition is rooted in a perception of distrust in the police community and redundancy in political procedures. In an open letter from the President of the San Antonio Police Officers Association opposing Proposition A, it reads, “The SA Justice Charter initiative is proposing several reforms that will only hinder the effective policing in place today … the initiative would like to appoint a Justice Director to oversee city policing, but prohibits them to have any law enforcement background? How are we saving scarce city resources by creating a new position for an individual with limited to no prior experience doing so?… Secondly, a cite and release policy is already in place for misdemeanors, however this charter wants to expand the policy even further. Expanding this policy will encourage repeat offenses for vandalism, shoplifting and theft of services which will in turn destroy tourism, harm honest businesses and eliminate jobs.”
The response to this, on behalf of the community is that it will provide better safety for the city of San Antonio, it will hopefully decrease the number of liabilities and lawsuits against San Antonio Police, and lastly, it will have a lasting empowering effect on democracy.
Community members are encouraged to contact their council representative for further understanding before the May 6th election.
You may view the full Justice Charter HERE.
