Public Comment - Englewood Council Meeting - 03/30/2023

Six months after an Englewood Police Officer murdered Bernard Placide, Jr by shooting him while he was incapacitated by a taser, the Council isn't taking residents concerns with policing seriously

My public comments from the Council Meeting:

I’m here tonight to again lend my voice to the family of Bernard Placide, Jr.

Bernard is not the only victim of police brutality in this town, and he’s probably not even the latest, but he was the most recent person murdered by your police. But from what I’m able to tell, none of the family's demands have been met, or even seriously debated.

One, Officer Sharpe must be fired, period, end of story. Last time I was here, it was because the Police Chief was attempting to promote Officer Sharpe. You noted that you only have purview over department heads, yet he’s still the chief. So why haven’t you fired him and required any new chief agree to fire Officer Sharpe?

Two, transfer oversight of the Englewood PD to the State Attorney General's Office. It’s not surprising that your police force has already been subject to outside oversight by the County Prosecutor. But as the Placide family can attest, that wasn’t enough, and yet you just announced tonight that this oversight is ending.

So now, like Paterson, your police force should also be subject to state take over. Maybe you take some solace in the fact your police force is not as violent and abusive as Paterson’s, but that doesn’t make your Black neighbors feel any safer knowing they could be the next one murdered. You, as the Mayor and Council, should actively engage the Attorney General's office, requesting that they take over the department.

Three, all of NJ needs strong Civilian Complaint Review Boards with parallel investigation, subpoena and discipline powers. You can do your part now by passing a resolution supporting that bill A1515/S2295 and calling for it to be passed in Trenton. You can lobby your state representatives to ensure they are co-sponsoring the bill and will support it. You can prepare now so Englewood can have a strong CCRB as soon as the law is passed.

Four, fund, build, and seed a junior youth center in Bernard Placide Jr.’s name. This seems to be totally clear of any legal restrictions, employment law, ongoing Attorney General investigations, or anything else. So where’s the plan?

Bernard Placide, Jr’s murder by Englewood police hasn’t gotten the same local and national media attention that Najee Seabrooks' murder by Paterson police did.

But that doesn’t mean that Bernard didn't matter.

Your resident is dead.
Your police officers screamed profanity at him and screamed they would kill him.
Then they tased him.
And while he was unable to comply because he was still being tased, your police officer murdered him.
Your police chief didn’t just justify her actions, he tried to promote her.
And yet they’re still employed, and you’re still on Council.

So let's hear a motion for a vote of no confidence in Officer Sharpe, in the Police Chief, and in the Mayor, if he won’t fire him.