Yesterday, Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. The San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office is proud to have supported the resolution.
The Los Angeles Times reported:
The U.S. Census lists the Black population at 9.4% in the county, but according to the resolution, about 19% of the county’s prison population is Black, along with 38% of those booked at juvenile detention centers and more than 21% of the county’s homeless population.
The resolution says the county will dismantle racism by several means, including enhancing diversity in the county workforce, and studying existing policies and practices “through a lens of racial equality” to promote and support efforts that prioritize health for people of color.
There are also plans for more collaboration between the county’s law enforcement and justice agencies to boost public confidence, along with the creation of an “Equity Element Group” to identify and research public concerns related to law enforcement.