The deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police around the nation have shed a bright spotlight on the work we must do to improve policing and public safety in our country.
To live up to our acknowledgement that Black Lives Matter, San Antonio cannot be an exception. We must be vigilant in our efforts to address racism and discrimination.
I am grateful for an empowered community of residents, organizers and activists, who have pushed us to review our policies and funding priorities, so we can create a fairer and more equitable community.
I know the pace of change is frustrating for some, but change is underway.
Since the first term in my mayoral tenure, equity has been a key tenet of the city budget, starting with infrastructure but including other aspects of our spending plan. The fiscal 2021 budget that we passed last week continues the equity framework.
The budget also includes a marked commitment to the health, housing, education, and workforce needs of our community, which in addition to being focused on concerns about public safety, is reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Recently, much attention has been focused on the balance between spending on law enforcement and other community needs.
San Antonio’s collective bargaining agreement with the police union dictates 80 percent of the public safety spending, leaving little room to maneuver until a new agreement is reached.
That process will begin next year. The current contract will expire in September 2021, and it is important to focus on a deliberate approach that produces results rather than headlines.
City Manager Erik Walsh has called for an in-depth evaluation of the police department that will include community input. The process will review foundational issues in the department, including police accountability and discipline, and gauge community expectations of the police department, all with the goal of developing a new model for public safety in our community.
“For me, one of those goals includes a future where the death of San Antonians during law enforcement encounters is no longer a part of our story.”
Mayor Ron Nirenberg
From this process, the manager will recommend reform measures next spring.
Meanwhile, change is under way now in those areas where it can be achieved quickly.
Police Chief William McManus last week updated mental health crisis procedures and announced a permanent ban on “no knock” warrants.
The change in mental health protocol is designed to put an increased emphasis on de-escalating situations before confrontations and tragedies occur.
McManus’ ban on the “no knock’ warrants comes on the heels of Councilwoman Jada Andrews-Sullivan’s work to bring City Council action to end the policy.
The chief also clarified the department’s ban on chokeholds – first instituted in 2014– in situations in which deadly force is not authorized.
And on another front, I have called for a City Council review of policies regarding the release of officers’ body camera footage as part of our effort to improve transparency, accountability, and public accessibility.
The San Antonio Police Department does not have a formal policy on the release of body camera footage. Establishing this protocol will end the guesswork about the release of important information and should improve police oversight by increasing the public’s access to footage.
While the pace of change will not satisfy everyone, I want to assure the community that we are listening to your concerns. And we are responding.
The scope of the work ahead of us and its potential transformational impact on our community warrants a mindful and thorough approach that allows us to identify and achieve the full array of reforms and realignments in priorities, with comprehensive community buy-in.
If we work together in good faith, I know we can reach those important goals. For me, one of those goals includes a future where the death of San Antonians during law enforcement encounters is no longer a part of our story.
Ron Nirenberg is mayor of San Antonio.
