08/08/03  Al Lipscomb & Police Review Board

Lest we Forget!

In 1988, Mayor Annette Strauss created an Advisory Committee on Crime, which was to debate and study the issues in community/police department interaction, after a number of black citizens were shot by police officers She appointed Councilman Al Lipscomb to that Committee, since he was on the Council Public Safety Committee.

As a member, I can attest that Al showed up for one opening meeting, had his picture taken and never showed up again, while John Wiley Price, Pettus Norman, Roy Williams, Marvin Crenshaw, Rene Martinez & Gloria de la Cruz  never missed a meeting and contributed immensely to the final 46 reforms put before the City Council for approval.

Of critical importance was the proposed strong Police Review Board, with subpoena powers, upon application to the Council.

I quote the DMN of 3/15/88, " Council members Al Lipscomb, Charles Tandy and Dean Vanderbilt raised questions about the prospect of granting subpoena power to a police review board."  Thank you, Al! That was your time to beat your chest and stand up for the strong review board we fought for!

Now, if Mr. Fantroy wants to aid Mr. Lipscomb in his rehabilitation, I suggest Al be appointed to a board which will demand compliance with city codes by absentee landlords who are exploiting his former constituents.

Al Lipscomb is my friend, but he will ruin any future strengthening of the review board which the Black & Hispanic community wants!

Jack McNulty