On May 25, 2020, the entire world changed, including me, as we watched the actions that resulted in the killing of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police.
I have been a law enforcement professional for more than 30 years, 18 of which at a command or executive level. I have always been proud of carrying a badge and serving the public. But on that day I knew the nation, the world and my community were about to undergo an experience that would require all of us to reevaluate our perception of law and order, fairness, transparency and equal justice.
Today, we have some answers about the meaning of equal justice and fairness. We have made progress on reforming law and order and regaining public trust, but there is still much work ahead of us. Some of the same problems that confronted other cities were visible in Lancaster during the summer of 2020. And like those cities, ours struggled to recognize all the issues.
When the DJ at the Overlook Roller Rink presses play on the Bee Geesâ âStayinâ Alive,â everyone on four wheels reports to the floor.
On a Saturday night at Overlook, thereâs a mix of young couples on dates, families with small children and members of the Dutchland Derby Rollers practicing their craft.
Amid the people and the unshakable groove from the brothers Gibb, thereâs 60-year-old Dean Wenrich. In his glasses and buttoned-down shirt tucked into jeans, Wenrich projects pure confidence as he shuffle skates around, and around, and around again.
Though he perhaps looks more like a favorite uncle than a dedicated weekly roller skater, Wenrich is a man of multitudes.
Jarrad Berkihiser was pushed out of his job as chief of the Lancaster City Bureau of Police last fall, the result of a falling out with the mayor over approaches to racial equity and progressive policing issues in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd.
In the months since, Berkihiser has kept largely quiet, saying little â publicly, at least â about what he thinks led to his unplanned departure, or the summer protests preceding it.
But he opened up in March, faulting Mayor Danene Sorace and the protesters generally for turning last Juneâs protests into a disorganized âgarbage dumpâ lacking realistic goals. Berkihiser said he believes some protesters wanted to physically take over the police station.
Lancaster Mayor delivers 2021 State of the City address
Some of Lancaster s priorities for 2021 include the strengthening of the police bureau concerning transparency, accountability, and community engagement. Author: Valeria De Leon (FOX43) Published: 11:16 PM EST January 19, 2021 Updated: 11:16 PM EST January 19, 2021
LANCASTER, Pa. Lancaster Mayor Danene Sorace delivered a virtual State of the City address on Tuesday.
While updating Lancastrians on 2021 plans for the city, Mayor Sorace took a look back at the accomplishments made in 2020.
She highlighted the city s work to better the police bureau, policing methods, and social services.
Mayor Sorace also touched on Lancaster s covid efforts and challenges, including the financial impact of the pandemic.