Dialogue Between Police Chief and D.C. Commission on Men and Boys Yields Promising Ideas (8/13/08)

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today said she appreciates the dialogue between D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier and the D.C. Commission on Black Men and Boys, led by Commission Co-Chair Isaac Fulwood. Commission Co-Chair Russ Parr, of WKYS, was out of town on his Back-to-School Bus Tour. The discussion, held at the South East White House, at 2909 Pennsylvania Ave., SE, yesterday was wide-ranging, including ways to reach youth before they get involved in the criminal justice system; a special concern raised by Commissioner Marvin Dickerson, of 100 Black Men; and a number of other issues raised by commissioners, among them facilitating inmate re-entry; augmenting community policing; and the rise of PCP as an important element in crime, particularly among youth.

Commissioners Ronald Moten, co-founder of Peaceoholics, and Tyrone Parker, of Alliance of Concerned Men, both former inmates, provided particular insights into issues concerning inmates returning to D.C. Commissioners Rev. Donald Isaac, of the East of the River Clergy, Police, Community Partnership, and George Starke, of the Excel Institute, brought insights on other issues as well; for instance, Commissioner Starke was especially concerned about coordination among law enforcement, other government agencies, grassroots community activists, and the business community, all of whom have a role in ensuring public safety. The commissioners also discussed best practices, such as "Project Clean Slate" in Portland, Oregon, which has a model coordination approach, but goes beyond coordination to remedies. For example, the Portland project reduces strained family relations because of child support by working out payment plans, thus getting children and their fathers connected. Family and fathering have been major concerns among the commissioners.

Norton agreed to a recommendation from the commissioners, which she will bring to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) that now houses D.C. inmates: that community organization personnel who assist re-entry should have contact with offenders while they are in prison. Norton will ask the BOP to allow use of video conferencing, which the Congresswoman used to bring inmates and residents together in a town meeting last year for the first time since the federal government took on this responsibility.

Norton established the D.C. Commission on Black Men and Boys in 2001 to reduce some of the most serious problems of Black men, including forming stable families, chronic unemployment, gun violence, alcohol and drug addiction, HIV/AIDS infection, and incarceration. The Commission has held hearings to receive community and expert testimony; and is developing action plans.