On the recent shootings and in support of law and order in Boston
September 19, 2002
Good afternoon.
This afternoon, we as members of the Black Religious community of Boston, want to address the recent shootings in the city of Boston, and the role of community policing in keeping adults and our youth safe on city streets. We note the notable absence of traditional leadership, in the faith community, to step up and speak out on behalf of healing and accountability, and law and order regarding the recent shootings. We represent a new cadre of fresh visions and voices, from pastors and religious lay workers in the city, who are now stepping in to defend the historic gains in public safety that Boston has won through years of hard work.
First, we extend our deepest sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones or who have had relatives injured as a result of recent shootings, and in particular the family of Eveline Barros-Cepeda, who was slain by bullets while a passenger in a vehicle fleeing from police.
We believe that a full, transparent investigation of that incident is needed, and have every expectation that Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley will ensure that the investigation will proceed without delay, and that any facts uncovered will be fully disclosed in a prompt manner to the general public. We also believe that the Cepeda family should be encouraged to exercise any legal options they might have, such as a suit in the civil courts. But in order to speed the investigation so as to ensure justice for all parties, we ask community residents to come forward to the District Attorney or the police with any information they might have that would help in the investigation. It is inconsistent to complain about police performance, and then fail to cooperate with law enforcement officials to ensure justice for the victims of violent crime, who are too frequently black.
Second, we strongly support Police Commissioner Paul F. Evans' reforms on the police use of deadly force with firearms, such as the restrictions on firing upon moving cars, which are not being used as weapons. This sensible approach will ensure greater safety for vehicle passengers, local residents and passers-by; and police officers themselves, who will, as a result of the changes, benefit from better relations with the community. We also agree with Commissioner Evans' decision, months in the making, to require more firearms training yearly for police officers to ensure that proper procedures are being followed.
Third, we entirely reject the calls of the Boston Police Patrolman's Association for Commissioner Evans to resign, and consider these statements inflammatory and divisive, especially at a time when the numbers of firearms incidents in our city are on the increase. Under Commissioner Evans' leadership, Boston has the most progressive police force in the United States, and with Commissioner Evans' support, the black community has received hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years to support community policing, healthy recreation for youth, cultural programming, and other concrete benefits for black neighborhoods. While we and Commissioner Evans both recognize the need for improvements in the department, we also recognize the need to move forward while still ensuring professionalism and accountability in the police force. In this regard, we would encourage the Internal Affairs Department of the Boston Police to ensure that its findings are more readily available in a transparent way to the public, so that the good officers can be encouraged, while officers needing more accountability are identified and dealt with.
Fourth, we believe that some segments of the print media have failed in their responsibilities to provide accurate and truthful information about recent shootings in the city. Often these print reporters at the leading newsdaily have overlooked, ignored, or concealed key facts about the victims and alleged perpetrators of firearms incidents, and instead have given their pages over to groups that purposely spread misinformation, untruths, and fear, and who actively incite fear of and hatred against police officers. This is an inflammable, divisive and irresponsible use of public media, which threatens to undo the strong and extraordinary practice of good police and community relations that were developed with the hard work of black community residents and the black faith community with the police over many years. Ultimately, it is black youth who are the victims of such irresponsible journalistic practices.
Today we propose a revolutionary concept to our friends in the media. We ask the question: do police officers that exercise their duties in a professional way, have rights? Why is the good work that is so frequently done underreported? There is a broad range of community-based programs that the Boston Police Department has initiated. We see almost no coverage of such concrete initiatives. Today we declare our support for the vast majority of Boston Police officers, black and white, who execute their duties with integrity and professionalism. We reject the political use of the race card by those who seek to divide, black or white.
Fifth, we believe that at this time, most of the various shootings and police responses do not arise from police misconduct, but rather from the misbehavior of a small segment of youth and young adults in the black community. The overwhelming majority of blacks in Boston are law-abiding residents who pay their taxes, live peaceably with their neighbors, and otherwise just want to go about their daily business.
However, the black community, and black religious leadership, must acknowledge their role in failing to adequately assist the small number of proven-risk youth and ex-prisoners who are in need of help and firm guidance and who are committing crime in our neighborhoods. Black religious leaders and their churches and institutions need to return to the streets to embrace these wayward youth and young adults as legitimate objects of ministry.
Religious leadership also needs to address the silence of members of the black community who witness crime, and encourage them to come forward and provide information to the authorities about crime in a safe way that will not bring harm to their loved ones. The black community's silence about crime and the perpetrators of crime continues to create a condition of insecurity and fear in our neighborhoods. The community must hold criminals accountable for their behavior, and must renew its work with the police to ensure public safety. The ultimate solution for crime in our community lies within the black community itself.
We urge the small number of youth and young adults committing crime in the black community to take a different path by putting down the guns, and to avoid confrontations with the police. The average police officer is simply doing his or her job, and wants go home to his or her family just like everyone else. We reject the recent statements of hatred and incitement against police made by local groups who have no track record whatsoever of constructive work in our neighborhoods. These statements, directed toward youth, do nothing to improve police-community relations and are causing additional tension and fear among local residents.
We believe that the greatest threat to black people today is not law enforcement, but other black people engaged in criminal activity against other blacks. Black on black violence is the worst form of racial profiling. And black on black silence about crime is a form of treason against the black community itself.
Finally, we appeal to the black religious leadership of this city to now step up and support Commissioner Paul Evans, who has been a friend and an ally of the black community. We believe that when we fill the rooms to take credit and receive grants during the good times, we should have the moral courage and decency to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies during the tough times. We will not go back in history. The challenges that we face are an opportunity to demonstrate authentic leadership. The time is now to step up and be true friends and allies.
Issued on Thursday, September 19, 2002 in Boston, Massachusetts.