This resolution does nothing to create a positive relationship between the community and its police force, it only panders to a small minority of non-city residents intent on disruption and chaos.” “We do dispute that it is a problem within the police department that must be apologized for.

“We do not dispute that there are racist people in this world, and that hate drives decisions made by some,” the statement read. The members of the Saratoga Springs PBA dispute and deny any false idea that its members are racist or allow any laws to be applied in a racist way or based in hate.” It released a statement saying that the resolution concentrates “on the idea that Saratoga Springs law enforcement has supported and allowed racism and hate to occur within its ranks, as well as its application of laws that were duly enacted by state and local legislative bodies. “But to take this to a point of self-condemning an entire city is a step way too far.” “I don’t know if there is a rational person alive who doesn’t think there are racists or serious injustices,” Montagnino said. That includes Commissioner of Public Safety Jim Montagnino who called the resolution “a litany of self-loathing statements that apply collective guilt to an entire city.” However, not everyone is on board with the plan. The 11-member panel would seek ways to promote restorative justice, a means of allowing a victim to address the victimizer, seek some kind of reparations and move forward together in a positive way. What our resolution does is establish a forum where we talk about these things.” “For example, from the 1960s to the 1980s, urban renewal decimated whole swaths of Saratoga Springs and largely that was based on race. “It’s well-documented that there are problems,” Kim said. Restorative justice practices “repair” to the harm caused by crime and conflict, as opposed to punishment. However, Kim said he does not have specific ideas on what he thinks the panel will address, or in what form such “restorative justice” would take. He said he is not focused solely on police, but also how racism affects housing and employment. “I also think this is a broader view of something the city and the United States at large should grapple with, race relationships and how we address those.” “It was the number one recommendation,” Kim said.

Resolution by Kim Loraine