Where I Stand
By Albert B. Kelly
Last Tuesday, January 13th
at the City Council meeting, I took the opportunity to share some thoughts with
those in attendance, many of whom were there in response to the police-involved
shooting that resulted in the death of Jerame Reid
There is understandably, a
desire to know exactly what happened that evening in the midst of a traffic
stop with two Bridgeton Police officers.
That a life was lost, regardless
of the circumstance, is always tragic because at bottom, what remains are
sadness, grieving, anger, and loss. But these are all separate from the
question of justice.
I share this because segments
of the community, some in the media, even self-identified activists are
demanding answers and these will be forthcoming, but not before investigations
are completed.
That the process is not
fast enough for some is certainly understandable; but we should rather endure
that frustration at present; then to jump to conclusions prematurely only to
have to amend them later on.
Even when the
investigation is completed and the facts known, regardless of what they are,
many will accept those facts and some will not.
But we will still have to
go on as a community. We will still have to live our lives and raise our
families and work at our jobs and ultimately decide what lessons to take away
from that night.
We will have to decide
whether we will give in to forces and voices outside of our control that speak division
and discord or whether we will choose those things that bring our community
together.
The Martin Luther King Jr
holiday reminds us that the choice between division and unity, like the choice
between building up and tearing down, is not a new one; but it is one that
requires reaffirming and renewal…and it is intended for times such as these.
On a personal level, I
share my heartfelt condolences with the Reid family and thank them for calling
for restraint and peaceful protest in our community just as I thank those in
the community who have heeded those calls for peace; not allowing emotions to
get the better of us.
As the chief elected official
for the Great City of Bridgeton, it is my responsibility to make sure the
citizens of our community are kept informed as to the events of that evening,
even as it is my responsibility to protect those who express themselves through
peaceful protest.
I want our citizens to
know that I do not take this responsibility lightly and because I do not lead
in a vacuum; I have sought the advice, counsel, and even the prayers of many
individuals, including community leaders and clergy, as to the direction we ought
to take as a city not only in these hard days, but in the seasons to come.
However, because there can
be misunderstanding as to the role of civilian leadership, I must make one
thing clear; namely that it is not legal nor is it proper for me, as a civilian
leader, to involve myself or my office directly in an active police
investigation.
What I can do and what I have
done is to appoint professional and capable people to leadership positions within
the Bridgeton Police Department to oversee this day-to-day work with integrity,
and that includes this investigation. That’s why I support and have faith in
the Bridgeton Police Department.
My standing request to the
community then, is not to rush to judgment, but to allow the facts of that
evening to come out in the course of a thorough and proper investigation. As
I’ve said before, this is not a CSI television show where cases are introduced
and resolved in an hour.
There are no short cuts in
any proper investigation, nor should there be. These are complex issues and I
want the experts to finalize their findings to the best of their abilities. As
we all do, I want the facts to lead to the ultimate truth and I am confident
the facts will speak for themselves.
The community has a right
to know exactly what happened and as our city’s chief public servant, that
right has been and continues to be acknowledged even as the investigation is
being completed. When that process is completed by the proper investigative entities,
both the Reid family and the community at large will be informed of the results.
Ultimately, this is an
opportunity, albeit a difficult one, for our city to become a national model of
peace, reconciliation and community dialogue; let’s not dismiss this chance to
further the dream.