Voters in at Least 6 States Overwhelmingly Pass Local Police Reform Measures
Voters in at least six states passed police reform measures that aim to allow for more public access to body and dashboard camera recordings.
States in which massive protests erupted following George Floyd's death in Minneapolis voted in favor of the police reform measures.
These areas are Seattle; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco, Oakland, San Diego, and Sonoma County in California, as reported by Fox News.
Voters in the said areas approved to create oversight committees to investigate police misconduct and the use of deadly force by officers, particularly toward Black and Hispanic people. The reforms also passed in Texas and Ohio.
Outraged protesters marched after the death of Walter Wallace, Jr. in Philadelphia.Wallace was shot and killed by police after responding to reports of an armed man with a knife.
The state is eyeing a new measure called for creating a Citizens Police Oversight Committee to replace Police Advisory Commission. The commission allegedly failed to hold police accountable.
The investigation on Wallace's death is still on. Police released body-camera footage on Wednesday from the shooting, which showed that Wallace ignored orders to drop his knife as officers approached him. The family of Wallace said he had mental problems.
Many of the reforms roll along the lines of laws were already passed in other states like Massachusetts and New York, according to an NBC News report. That was in response to widespread protests over racial injustice and police brutality nationwide.
In Portland, Oregon, more than 80 percent of voters passed Measure 26-217. The measure aims to change the city's charter to create a police oversight committee that would have the power to investigate the use of deadly force.
It includes looking at allegations of misconduct by officers. It would also give power to committee members to discipline officers found of any wrongdoing.
Police protests have been going on in Oregon following Floyd's death in May.
Similar measures were also passed in California jurisdictions, particularly in San Francisco, Oakland, and Sonoma County.
San Diego voters approved a measure creating an independent Commission on Police Practices to investigate misconduct, complaints, and in-custody deaths.
Related story : Police Brutality 'Out of Control' in Latin America
In Los Angeles County, voters approved a measure that will require the area to spend at least 10 percent of its annual budget on alternatives to incarceration, such as job training, substance abuse programs, and mental health treatment.
The estimated budget falls around $360 million.
In San Francisco, voters passed a measure that would remove mandatory police staffing levels from the city's charter.
Protests Erupted
The United States was experiencing civil unrest in the past months following the death of Floyd, a Black man allegedly killed by a police officer.
Many demonstrators were arrested in several areas, such as in Seattle.
Related story : Former Police Officer Derek Chauvin Charged With George Floyd's Killing Released on Bond
Many federal agencies were sent in the area to remain on standby to help local police during the public tension. A team from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was sent to Seattle.
A clash between the police and protesters mounted injuries on both parties, according to a CNN report.
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