Anybody who's paying attention knows that the purpose of City Manager Julio Avael's series of let's-pretend "public" meetings to solicit input concerning whether the City should create a Police Civilian Review Board is to gut the idea. If Avael and his anti-review cronies can't kill it outright, look for them to support forming a toothless "advisory council".
But we are supporting another idea. How about letting the people vote on it? Is that a radical idea or what? In the City Charter, it's called a ballot initiative. A group of citizens form a committee and solicit signatures on a petition. With enough signatures, the question must be placed on the ballot. And if the majority of voters vote "yes", it becomes law.
What if you were to see the following question— or a similar question— on the ballot the next time you go to vote? Would you vote for it?
"Should the City create an independent Police Civilian Review Board with authority to issue subpoenas, review/investigate any action or complaint involving Police Department officers or employees, even if other inquiries are underway or pending, and forward findings/recommendations to City management and/or State law enforcement agencies and/or a Grand Jury? Seven members shall be appointed by the City Commission in seven categories: Physician, attorney, media, clergy, business, police (under the rank of lieutenant), State Attorney's Office."
Last November, 70 percent of the citizens going to the polls in Miami approved the formation of a strong Civilian Review Board. How would you vote? Let us know what you think.