Last week, prior to police killing Daunte Wright, I gave an interview on behalf of @thestreettrust to @KOINNews about the defunding of Portland's traffic enforcement division.
When they asked why I didn't think more policing was the answer to traffic violence, I said this:
When they asked why I didn't think more policing was the answer to traffic violence, I said this:
Racial bias in traffic enforcement is a well-documented reality. One life lost to police violence at a traffic stop is too many. Kendra James needlessly lost her life during a traffic stop. Sandra Bland. Philando Castille. Walter Scott. Jordan Edwards. #SayHerName #SayHisName
At this critical time of reckoning with Portland's legacy of white supremacy and racist policing, we must come together to innovate new ways of ensuring everyone in our community has access to safe and just streets, regardless of their skin color, housing status, or zip code.
Enforcing the rules of the road is only one part of the equation - educating the public and redesigning our streets at a human scale may ultimately play bigger roles. We need to adopt a public health approach to address the epidemic of violence in our streets.
The Street Trust has invested heavily championing Oregon Senate Bill 395, also known as "Safe Routes for All," in the legislature this session to increase the amount of money spent on critical safety infrastructure and improve street safety across Oregon. #YesonSB395
We're all eager to move forward into a wonderful summer. Instead of investing in more policing, we can be implementing data-driven, systems-based approaches to bring increased and overdue resources, action, and political will to communities that have been abused and neglected.
I truly believe that community led solutions - culturally specific, place specific - will provide the best results. But we need to come together and demand that a better way is possible. We can and must do better. #BlackLivesMatter #VisionZero oregonlive.com/opinion/2021/0…
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