I have always been an optimist. Even now, after ten months of the covid-19 pandemic, I still feel a sense of hope about our future as a community.
Yes, we sometimes take steps backwards or sideways, but then we often take forward steps, even if haltingly. There is justified anxiety about the pandemic, anxiety about the economy, and anxiety about the imperfect nature of our democracy. Progress isn’t always in a straight line but takes detours and roundabouts. As a country and region, however, we usually end up after a crisis in a better place than where we started.
Elections are when voters decide the direction of our community and those who will lead our government. If you are like me, election season is also a time for articulating my own values, goals, and choices. One of my many goals for 2020 has been to better understand the role race plays in our civic life. I grieved following the murders of George Floyd, Cecil Lacy Jr., Nickolas Peters and others. But grieving is not enough. In June, I issued a proclamation, taking direct action to address racism and bias within county government and our community. After listening to our community members and witnessing local, national and international demonstrations demanding change, I was filled with hope that our current passion for justice could result in transformative actions reshaping how we connect as neighbors and government.
I committed to working with other leaders to do the same in the law and justice system. We don’t live in a time when words are enough to resolve our longstanding problem with racism in America. We should no longer merely nibble at the edges of racism and bigotry but attack the problem directly, creating real change for our friends, neighbors, and family members. I have seen hurt in the heart of my colleagues and heard the pain in the words of our youth. Now is the time for action.
As an immediate step, I established the Office of Social Justice. I created this office with the aim of changing those flawed systems that are hindering individual and community advancement. I also heard from the community that it wants greater transparency related to law enforcement.
I drafted my 2021 Office of Social Justice budget based on input I received from communities of color and their allies. My proposal included funding for community outreach, education, language access, recruitment and retention of marginalized populations. By understanding our strengths and weaknesses, educating our staff, and making ourselves more available to our community, government is best able to work toward a shared vision of a community free from the stain of bigotry and bias.
We continue discussing with our law and justice partners not only the need for a comprehensive law and justice study, but also the need to collect, evaluate and assess data to improve justice system outcomes. I have proposed that the County Council allocate funds to move this important work forward. At the community’s suggestion, I also requested money in order to begin equipping Sheriff’s Office deputies with body-worn cameras. In response to community demand for more transparency into the actions of law enforcement officers, I am working with community partners to establish a Community Oversight Commission.
In this time of decision-making and action, the list of needs is long. We need to get this pandemic behind us, care for the sick, rebuild our economy, and make our community more just for all. I need your help to achieve these goals. Today, I ask neighbors, business partners, and community leaders to share their views on my proposed 2021 budget for the Office of Social Justice and for criminal justice reform. While these are definitely times of tight budgets and my partners on the County Council have some hard decisions before them, it’s important that they hear from you about your priorities.
The events of the past year have created a crisis in confidence and trust between our residents and our governmental institutions. My proposals are intended to help overcome this crisis and restore public trust. While we all need to have our voices heard at the ballot box and in the halls of power, we should never forget that civic engagement is also required everywhere we live, work, and play.
I look forward to working on these and other priorities that will make Snohomish County stronger, more just, and a better place for all of us to live.
Dave Somers is Snohomish County Executive.
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-work-hope-ahead-at-county-level-for-social-justice/