Yes, but it’s a dry heat…

Categories Environment, Public Safety1 Comment on Yes, but it’s a dry heat…

I hope you’ve survived the heat. And if you haven’t? Well, you’re not reading this anyway, so… 😀 Is it just me, or does it feel like these low-rent ’emergencies’ are basically coming somewhat constantly now? I ask because I’ve had this *bee in my bonnet for a long time about the topic of Emergency … Continue reading “Yes, but it’s a dry heat…”

The Minority Report (Part 2 of 2: Policy)

Categories Airport, Economic Development, Engagement, Marina, Policy, Public Safety, Taxes, Transparency, Transportation

This is the second half of our response to the April 15th State Of The City presentation. Part 1 discussed our objections to the way it was carried out. Here we’ll talk about some specific policy differences. For those of you short on time, you can follow along with this presentation packet. As noted last … Continue reading “The Minority Report (Part 2 of 2: Policy)”

Letter of resignation from Des Moines Diversity Task Force: Meg Tapucol-Provo

Categories Neighborhoods, Policy, Public Safety, TransparencyTags 4 Comments on Letter of resignation from Des Moines Diversity Task Force: Meg Tapucol-Provo

Subject: Stepping down from the DMPD Diversity Task Force To: Chief Ken Thomas,  Des Moines Police Guild, City Council, etc. To the Members of the Des Moines Police Department Diversity Task Force, I am regretfully writing to inform you that I am stepping down from the Diversity Task Force. In joining this Task Force, my … Continue reading “Letter of resignation from Des Moines Diversity Task Force: Meg Tapucol-Provo”

Why I support police reform but voted against pre-paying for body cameras

Categories Public Safety1 Comment on Why I support police reform but voted against pre-paying for body cameras

As I’ve written and testified, I am a strong advocate of police reform. I was the lone vote against the motion so I figured I should explain a bit. And I want to stipulate that body cameras will likely be in all Cities (including Des Moines) at some point. Point by point Let’s begin by … Continue reading “Why I support police reform but voted against pre-paying for body cameras”

How I got so interested in Code Enforcement

Categories Neighborhoods, Public SafetyTags , 1 Comment on How I got so interested in Code Enforcement

In 2010 I moved away for a year and rented out my house here. Now back then, in order to rent out yer house, the City required aspiring landlords to do a few things: you paid an $80 fee and you became part of a database with your current address and phone number so that … Continue reading “How I got so interested in Code Enforcement”

Port Of Seattle Special Meeting On Policing and Racism (Public Comment)

Categories Public SafetyLeave a comment on Port Of Seattle Special Meeting On Policing and Racism (Public Comment)

FROM: JC Harris PO Box 13094 Des Moines, WA 98198 (206) 878-0578TO: Commissioners Of The Port Of Seattle: Peter Steinbreuck, Fred Felleman, Stephanie Bowman, Ryan Calkins, Sam ChoJune 29, 2020 Commissioners, I am writing to you in this context as a private citizen. I applaud the Port’s efforts at self-reflection on matters of policing and … Continue reading “Port Of Seattle Special Meeting On Policing and Racism (Public Comment)”

What can Des Moines learn from George Floyd?

Categories Policy, Public SafetyTags 6 Comments on What can Des Moines learn from George Floyd?

I’m in the not unusual position of being a white guy in a black family. So I’ve been an unwitting participant in a decades long sociology experiment. I’ve gotten to see how I get treated differently from my family members in all sorts of shared situations. Unfortunately, that also applies to dealings with the police. … Continue reading “What can Des Moines learn from George Floyd?”