In their words: Officials, police, residents on police reform ithaca.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ithaca.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Yasmin Rashid acted largely as a peacekeeper between the two sides. Casey Martin
ITHACA, NY Tensions were high on March 14 as Back the Blue supporters were met with a large group of counter-protesters at Bernie Milton Pavilion. Back the Blue supporters had announced earlier in the week that they had planned to protest the Reimagining Public Safety proposal that recommends replacing Ithaca Police Department with the Community Solutions and Public Safety Department. However, the Ithaca Police Benevolent Association put out a statement on March 11 thanking people for their support, but urging against the rally.
Black Lives Matters protesters raise their fists in solidarity.
ITHACA, NY Ithaca police officers showed up in numbers to the March 3 Common Council meeting to voice their opinions on the Reimagining Police draft proposal that was announced at the end of February. Recommendation one of the draft proposes replacing the Ithaca Police Department (IPD) with the Community Solutions and Public Safety Department, which would consist of both armed and unarmed workers to respond to the litany of calls the police currently deal with.
Loretta Tomberelli, an IPD sergeant, said she loves Ithaca and the community that she serves and that the proposal makes her feel unappreciated.
âI feel that I am seen as not human by the city administration,â she said. âItâs like I donât matter. I give everything every day, day in and day out, but I feel like just a number. Like a something, not someone, that just isnât needed [â¦] IPD is the most progressive police department I know, and we are open to change and open to discussion on al