Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ An issue in 2015’s Salisbury city council election is the Salisbury Police Department’s ongoing record of civil rights violations and use of excessive force by a small number of officers. Examples of civil rights violations and excessive force can be noted in both minority and white communities. While a small number of our Salisbury Police Department take part part in civil rights violations and the use of excessive force, our city council, city manager’s office, and police department ought to have zero tolerance for this behavior. It is a major pox on the city’s alleged reputation as a “progressive” and forward-thinking city. Our city’s reputation is sullied both here and around the state. There is a call in Salisbury for a truly independent civilian review board.
Our city government claims to be “open to diversity”, yet it becomes obvious, riding though Salisbury’s diverse neighborhoods, who doesn’t share in the pie. Please notice which neighborhoods possess sidewalks, where the streets go unrepaired, a lack of lighting and neighborhoods lacking needed playgrounds. Ever wonder which neighborhoods get the most rapid police response when trouble knocks on the door or kicks it in?
Its glaringly bright and loud that unless you are part of Salisbury’s downtown establishment, its historic district, or the country club, you are a distinct outsider when dealing with city government. The pie is beyond the reach for many dwelling outside the three previously named areas. We’re not telling you anything new if you live in a minority neighborhood, a forcibly annexed neighborhood, or anywhere outside the periphery of downtown, the historic district or the country club. Our city government appears only cater to a few.
The city of Salisbury was forced to pay hefty legal settlements to minority victims of excessive police force. Felicia Gibson’s case, a clear violation of first amendment civil rights, won on an appeal. What is additionally unsavory about these civil rights violations is that fair number of minority residents fear their protectors.
The Rowan Free Press was the first report these issues and break through the media silence here on police civil rights violations and brutality. We urge the current city council to implement an independent civilian review board to protect our citizens from those very few who would abuse their badges and bring shame on the Salisbury Police Department. The Rowan Free Press will continue to cover this very important issue as long as it is permitted to last.
Some previous RFP articles on Salisbury police civil rights issues:
