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FridayMusings is sharing a statement on racial justice issued by Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan:
Last Monday, George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis. His death leaves me heartbroken, angry, and wondering how many more people of color will utter the words, "I can't breathe" before taking their last breath. I am saddened for George Floyd and for the loved ones suffering his loss, as our society once again says to itself, "racism has to stop."
I applaud those who are demonstrating powerfully and peacefully in George Floyd's honor, including those right here in Livonia, who are working to bring attention to the inequality and unjust treatment of people of color in America. As mayor, I will not tolerate those who engage in violence, distracting from that narrative with destructive, dangerous, and irresponsible behavior.
I believe it is important that we respect peaceful protests, that we offer clear and regular communication on the issue of racial injustice, and that we engage community leaders in our efforts to bridge the racial divide that exists across society, fully recognizing that Livonia is not an exception.
Sadly, this movement in which we are engaged is not a one-time occurrence, but it is my most sincere hope that this time will lead to lasting change. So, while individually, each peaceful march, demonstration, and rally may not make things better, we can use this moment to teach the next generation that they must take a stand.
Together, we need to stand with them in seeking justice. We need to stand with them demanding change. And stand beside them, in the spotlight of our history, to act with conviction to make things better starting today.
That's why together with the Livonia Police Department, we want to extend a hand to those looking to peacefully protest and affirm their First Amendment right to free
 speech in our City. I encourage those looking to organize a demonstration to reach out to us to help ensure a safe environment for all involved.
I am proud of the Livonia Police Department and the work they do to keep our community safe, ever mindful of the great challenges and tremendous public trust wehold. I am immensely grateful to the men and women who report to duty every day, with a mission to keep us safe and protect us from harm, who carry out their mission with dignity and honor, and especially to those who give their lives keeping us all safe. They are there in times of violence, domestic conflict, death and sadness, mental health and substance use crises, mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and pandemics. Through all this, the Livonia Police Department strives to uphold fairness, equity, procedural justice, transparency, and accountability - the values that build trust. I look forward to continuing to work with LPD leaders and officers to strengthen that trust.
And because more work is always needed to achieve these goals and bolster that trust, today I am announcing a new vision for the Livonia Human Relations
Commission. This board will be charged with working directly with me and my office to make recommendations regarding diversity, equity,
and inclusion across the City of Livonia and its government.
Starting early next week, I will be meeting with all the commissioners to ensure we move quickly to bring recommendations to the community.
The task of deconstructing prejudice and inequality will be incredibly difficult work. But the good news is that, in the midst of tragedy, change is possible. Indeed, it is already well under way. Together, we are capable of ensuring everyone is treated fairly-regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any other identity-starting right here and right now in Livonia.
FridayMusings is sharing a statement from Livonia Police Chief Curtis Caid:
With the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, I've had many inquiries regarding; the training that Livonia provides for its officers, use of force statistics and community outreach. Training has been a priority for many years. Officers attend 11 days of mandatory in-service training every year. Topics include: Autism Awareness, Human Trafficking, Cultural Diversity, Biased Based Policing, De-Escalation/Use of Force, Positional Asphyxia, Less Lethal and much more. President Obama created the 21st Century Policing Task Force, which released their recommendations to police agencies across the Nation - Livonia hosted regional training on the topic. All officers are issued body worn cameras. Additionally, each patrol vehicle is equipped with fixed camera systems. Each officer is issued a Taser, an option that could prevent the use of additional force.
. . . . .our community engagement not only in Livonia, but the region, which include (s); Shop with a Cop, Block Party's, Chief's Cooking for Kids (you may recall that I ask for your financial support for this outstanding effort), Detroit PD Field Day, and the video is an excerpt of our Christmas 2019 humanitarian effort. Officers have pooled their money to get a hotel room for someone in family crisis, purchased clothing, toys and shoes for strangers in need. And, as recent as this past Tuesday, June 2, I met with representatives from Rosa Parks Institute for Self-Development with the goal of continuing the dialogue of police and race relations. I could go on and on.
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Your Town - Livonia Police Department $50 Giveaway |
Now, our use of force stats. Livonia Police Officers have tens of thousands of contacts. Whether responding to calls for service, citizen assists,enforcement actions, etc. So far this year, Livonia Police Officers responded to 15,667 calls for service and have made 1,078 arrests. Out of all of these contacts, there have been 13 Use of Force incidents. A Use of Force incident is not restricted to arrests. The 13 use of force incidents are broken down into: 7 or 54% were uses of force with an individual that was under the influence of an agent or in a mental health crisis where intervention was necessary and the remaining 6 or 46% uses of force were in arrest situations. Considering the current events, the next logical question would relate to race. Of the 13 uses of force, one (1) involved an African American male.
Last, following months of reviews and inspections, in 2019, the Livonia Police Department received its accreditation from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police. I am passionate about our city and the members of the Livonia Police Department. They are compassionate, professional and committed to our city and region. They are second to none. I couldn't be more proud of each of them and their families. We will get through this. We MUST get through this - together.
FridayMusings is sharing a statement from Clarenceville
Public Schools Superintendent Paul Shepich:
FridayMusings is sharing a statement from City Councilman Jim Jolly:
 I stand with all people who seek justice and respect the dignity and human rights of their fellow men and women. We must strive to be better.
"Progress, man's distinctive mark alone, Not God's, and not the beasts': God is, they are, Man partly is and wholly hopes to be."
-Robert Browning, A Death In The Desert
FridayMusings is sharing a statement from City Councilman Brandon McCullough:
 If you asked me why I decided to run for office, my answer would be simple... To make progress through CHANGE.
In my opinion, change can only be achieved when people buy in and actually see the reasons it is needed.
The murder of George Floyd is incomprehensible and the means of his death can never happen again.
This is the time to mourn the unwarranted death of George Floyd and so many others while ensuring that justice is served. This is the time to recognize that social injustice does exist. It is the time for growth and change.
I am someone that identifies a problem and formulates a solution. Right now, we have an opportunity to make a positive change to the system but we need to channel our energy to making this change real and not just one of empty promises.
Over the past week I have received numerous emails on ways to reform the Police Department. Please know that your messages have not gone unheard.
I will say, I fully support the brave first responders we have working for the Livonia Police Department and value the strong direction under Chief Caid, who has displayed true positive leadership over the past week. This community is strong and will grow stronger when we work together to create better systems to protect all the individuals within it.
Mayor Brosnan has announced a new vision for the Livonia Human Relations Commission. This board will be charged with working directly with the Mayor to make recommendations regarding diversity, equity and inclusion across the City of Livonia and its government.
This will not happen overnight but we are moving in the right direction.
As your newest Council member, I ask for your help and most of all your support to make this change happen! Talk is cheap and I have always been accountable for my promises.
Livonia has always been my home and it pains me deeply to hear some of the stigmas that are being tossed around, it's something that I will work diligently to erase.
We cannot change our history but we can learn from it and become better and stronger than before. I give you my word as a leader in Livonia that I will do everything in my power to make Livonia a community where everyone is welcome.
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Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia) has issued the following statement regarding her appointment to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Return to Learn Advisory Council, established on May 15 by
In keeping up to speed on current Livonia activities FridayMusings is sharing that a newly formed group, Livonia Citizens Caring About Black Lives
FridayMusings has found yet another member of our Livonia faith community that is reaching out to help those in need. 
FridayMusings continues to be amazed at the work in our hometown being done by our service clubs.
Based on the guidance of local government, the Livonia AM Rotary Club has decided to postpone its "Touch a Truck" event until Saturday July 24, 2021 due to COVID-19 and social distancing practices currently mandated by the State of Michigan.
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