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Alan Williams and Voter Registration
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Membership
YEO Network member and Florida Representative Alan
Williams has introduced a bill to implement an online voter
registration system in the state. “The byproduct of it is more
people engaged in the electoral process,” Williams said. “We
cannot continue to embrace a typewriter mentality in an iPad world.”
Studies indicate that online voter
registration systems save taxpayer
money, while increasing efficiency,
convenience, and accuracy in the
registration process. Read more
about online voter registration
from Pew Charitable Trusts here.
YEO state Rep. Shevrin
Jones of Florida is advancing
community
policing
by
According to the St. Louis University School of Law, community
championing body cameras
policing is “commonly characterized as a model of policing that
through his bill House Bill
emphasizes problem-solving and partnerships between police and
57, saying that “[p]olice body
the communities they serve.” Considered “democracy in action,”
cameras represent the next
community policing emphasizes community engagement in
level in police and citizen
problem-solving, regular contact between officers and citizens,
protection.” Cosponsored by the
increased officer accessibility in a decentralized location, and a focus
Criminal Justice Subcommittee
on community members identifying problems and cooperating
and supported by the Police
with officers to address them. Two popular community policing
Benevolent Association, Jones’
practices are civilian police oversight commissions and body bill requires each local law enforcement agency using body cameras
cameras.
to create policies and procedures addressing the proper use,
maintenance, and storage of body cameras and data recorded. Rep.
Last fall, YEO Svante Myrick, Mayor of Ithaca, NY, responded Jones has even worked with stakeholders to file an amendment to
to community anger over an Ithaca police sergeant pulling his gun ensure police officer and civilian privacy.
on unarmed teens by introducing a plan for community policing.
His plan emphasizes increased supports for the local police While body cameras are one mechanism of protecting civilian
department and community
and police officer safety, community policing practices offer
engagement, and includes: a
other ways YEOs can expand democracy and empower their
requirement that all police
communities. Justice reforms are a work in progress, and many of
officers reside in the city, a newly
these initiatives and approaches are still being studied and piloted
formed two-officer Community
– but these conversations must include broad representation from
Action Team (CAT), the hiring
communities impacted. For additional information, check out the
of a downtown social worker, a 10
following resources and don’t hesitate to reach out to the YEO
percent increase in police staffing,
Network policy team for any questions or requests for assistance.
a full review of all policies and
• The U.S. Department of Justice has a toolkit on communityprocedures leading to formal
oriented policing services as well as a report on recruiting and
accreditation, the opening of an
hiring police officers called “Hiring in the Spirit of Service.”
additional district office, and body
icy
Membership
“
YEOs and the Network are dedicated to tackling structural barriers
to economic justice and, this year, have a renewed focus on working
family policy. With this inaugural state-based Policy Summit and
the upcoming annual National Convening, the Network is excited
to see YEOs’ work to create responsible and just policies that are
of, by, and for all Am ericans and their families.
cameras on police officers. Mayor Myrick’s plan continues to grow
and incorporate stakeholder feedback, including support from the
Thompkins County Office of Human Rights and community
planning meetings.
Pol
Entitled “Defending Workers and Families: Creating an Economy
that Works for All,” the agenda focused on workers’ benefits and
empowerment, workplace protections, coalition building and
employer accountability, and many other labor issues. Trainers
included community leaders and experts from local and national
partners like the Keystone Research Center, SEIU Healthcare
Pennsylvania, Jobs With Justice, the Make It Work Campaign,
and Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United, while
guest speakers included Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto and
County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. YEO members also heard
from workers themselves during a panel on the need for union
benefits and protections. The Summit offered participants the
opportunity to learn from one another and to develop policy action
plans for labor reforms in their communities, which the Network
will continue to follow. As added highlights, the Pittsburgh City
Council declared the weekend “Young Elected Officials Weekend”
in an official proclamation, and that week YEO State Director
Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak introduced a bill on paid family
leave for city workers.
“
YEOs and the Network are dedicated to
tackling structural barriers to economic
justice and, this year, have a renewed
focus on working family policy.
Last year, communities across the nation were shaken by the
tragedies of police brutality, excessive force against minorities,
and the lack of justice in the police-related deaths of Eric Garner,
Michael Brown, and many other men and women of color. As a
result, YEOs across the country rallied around their communities
and urged local law enforcement agencies to begin using
community policing practices.
Networking
To kick off the YEO Network’s 10th Anniversary and create a
state-based coalition around working family policy, the Network
brought together YEOs for a first-ever state-based Policy Summit
held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from January 30 – January 31. The
inaugural Policy Summit used the Network’s national model of
issue-specific policy academies to bring together a group of policy
partners, community leaders, and elected officials from across
the state and region to work toward solutions for Pennsylvania’s
working families. The Network worked closely with Pennsylvania
State Director Natalia Rudiak, the SEIU, and local partners to
organize the Summit.
Policy Feature:
YEOs Leading Justice Reform: Community Policing and
Body Cameras
Cover
Policy Feature:
YEO Network: “Defending Workers and Families:
Creating an Economy that Works for All”