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Expect veteran firefighter Brian Byrd to be
named Chief of the Toledo Fire Department (TFD), replacing
Luis Santiago who is set to retire during the first week of
August 2018.
Regarded as the best candidate for the job,
Byrd was selected over Karen Marquardt, a Santiago protégé
and David Hitt, a TFD administrator who is also African
American. It is my understanding that the outspoken Hitt,
while a favorite of many in the black community, faces an
upcoming mandatory retirement in a little over one year
whereas Byrd’s required retirement date is December 31,
2021, which exactly coincides with the end of Mayor Wade
Kapszukiewicz’ elected term.
Byrd’s upcoming appointment comes just as
racial tensions are beginning to rise between the community
and safety forces. The “lily white” Toledo Fire Department
has long struggled with diversity issues and Byrd, through
his annual African American Male Wellness Walk and other
initiatives, has an exemplary record of involvement in the
black community.
While the mayor has been extraordinarily busy
addressing diversity challenges in the Fire Department,
issues between the community and the Toledo Police
Department (TPD) are threatening to spiral out of control
despite police Chief George Kral’s best efforts to maintain
a visible presence in Toledo neighborhoods.
Shootings are up and there have been 25
homicides in Toledo so far this year. Evidence, according to
Kral, indicates that much of the violence has to do with
drug dealing and retaliation shootings as gangs continue to
fight primarily amongst themselves.
How can we make the community safe?
Chief Kral is convinced that the availability
of good jobs, a structural issue beyond his control, would
solve a lot of the violence. Technology such as Shot
Spotter, a high tech solution used in Chicago, could also be
helpful but the $250,000 purchase price plus $75,000 per
month for each three-mile stretch of Toledo makes the
initiative cost prohibitive.
In addition, last week’s viral video of TPD’s
arrest of a young African-American man amidst an angry crowd
of neighbors and passersby has complicated matters by
highlighting the growing mistrust of police by many in the
community.
After viewing the video, I am not competent
to comment on whether TPD followed protocol or if the
procedures were fair or just. However, the willingness of
police personnel to get into a back and forth argument with
bystanders and engage in “one-up” interactions with
residents indicated a lack of cultural competency or
sensitivity of some in the department.
Will more black police officers help?
Forty-four percent of the Toledo Police
Department has less than 10 years seniority, according to
Chief Kral. Ninety nine percent of the current force is
college educated and nearly 50 percent of the officers live
within the city of Toledo.
While minorities only comprise 15 percent of
the force in a city that is nearly 26 percent black, the new
class set to begin late July is 25 percent African American,
10 percent Latino and 44 percent female, “one of the most
diverse classes we’ve had in a while,” says Kral.
Yet, a black presence, both among the rank
and file and safety force leadership, though helpful in
providing relevant cultural awareness, is not enough to
either bridge the trust gap or to reduce violence in Toledo.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The answer lies only in a joint approach to
violence that includes the community, law enforcement and
the criminal justice system as equal and mutually respected
partners.
This arrangement cannot happen where there is
no community buy-in or authentic relationships that
transcend the superficial associations of existing
initiatives.
Finally, strong leadership and direction must
come from the 22nd floor. Mayor Kapszukiewicz
must become a champion for the new partnership and ensure
that the safety director and the police and fire chiefs are
sincerely engaged. The example of the chiefs will inspire
their subordinates to do their job to help make this
community safe.
They had better. We all must. And soon!
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org
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