Policing proposal coming to council

By Vickie Aldous
Ashland Daily Tidings

A group of residents wants the Ashland City Council to formally embrace the community policing model by adopting a city ordinance to that effect.

Members of the group, which calls itself the Ashland Committee on Policing and Safety, will present their proposal during a city council meeting that begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Ashland Civic Center Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St.

The community policing model views the police department primarily as a service entity, with police officers using communication and collaboration to meet the needs of the community. It differs from a model that views the police force primarily as an enforcement entity with a paramilitary style, according to a draft ordinance developed by the committee.

The issue of community policing has come to the forefront in Ashland over the past year. Many members of the Ashland Police Department have said they lack confidence in Chief Mike Bianca, viewed by many residents as the embodiment of the community policing style.

The proposed ordinance calls on the police to minimize the use of physical force and to abstain from using lethal force except when it is clear there is no other way to prevent injury to police officers or others. Other provisions include training officers in non-violent methods, stress management, communication and dealing with people experiencing symptoms of mental illness or drug or alcohol use.

The council could do nothing with the proposal, ask city staff to place the ordinance on a future agenda for further discussion and possible adoption or form an official Public Safety Committee and refer the ordinance to that group for study and a recommendation.

Other business Tuesday night includes a presentation on police plans to handle the frequently rowdy Halloween celebrations in Ashland, and an update on reconstruction plans for the aging fire station on Ashland Street.

Residents opposed to the new $7.50 fee on electric bills that helps close the Ashland Fiber Network’s deficits also plan to present signatures against the fee.

Staff writer Vickie Aldous can be reached at 482-3456 x. 3018 or valdous@dailytidings.com.