APD Body Cameras. The Alaska Black Caucus has been promoting the use of body cams by APD since April, 2020, when voters approved of funding. The Justice Committee was working with APD Chief McCoy on the drafting of a policy for use of body cams for months. The effort seemed stalled, until the issue was brought to the attention of the Anchorage Assembly. The matter is now on the agenda for a joint meeting of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and the Anchorage Public Safety Commission on February 18, 2022. The public can and should attend this meeting for an update on the implementation of body cams in Anchorage.
COVID tool kits. The Justice Committee is creating a “COVID tool kit” to provide those who are incarcerated upon release back to the community. The tool kit includes video and written information concerning how to stay safe during a pandemic. We have had excellent communications with the Department of Corrections and Reentry partners in distribution of the tool kits by the end of February.
“On These Grounds”. The Alaska Black Caucus kicked off Black History Month with a screening of the documentary film “On These Grounds” at the Bear Tooth Theater on February 7th at 6:30. This is an excellent film on the presence of police in schools, and should be of special interest to students. Free admission was offered at the Bear Tooth Theaterpub, thank you to all that watched with us!
Watch the filmmaker panel: https://fb.watch/b5BjKsHXy2/
Redistricting. The Alaska Black is joining as Amicus Curiae to a lawsuit challenging a proposed redistricting map that would combine house districts in Government Hill and North Muldoon with Eagle River districts to form 2 senate districts that would dilute the voter impact for those in the north Anchorage districts.
“Justice for Bishar” Rally. We are planning a rally for the family of Bishar Hassan, who was shot and killed by APD officers on April 1, 2019. The rally is scheduled for April 1, 2022, three years after the shooting, and near the scene of the shooting at A Street and 16th Avenue.
More information on the rally will be in the March Boldly Committed.