Former Danville Alderman Lloyd Randle once again invited Illinois American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Communications Leader Ed Yohnka down to Danville to speak about, not just policing issues this time, but also on political issues heading into the election, with additional ACLU personnel and local leaders also participating. But it was no surprise that allegations about policing, and racial profiling and disproportions on traffic stops of minorities; ended up being the top issue.
Danville Police Chief Christopher Yates spoke for a long time when it was his turn, and took the heat of numerous questions. While part of Chief Yates’ talk focused on using what he feels are more accurate ways of analyzing numbers concerning traffic stops and arrests in Danville; many of the about 50 residents in attendance wanted to talk about the overall approach taken by local police. One resident played the role of an African American female driving home, and asked Chief Yates to follow her on foot as she explained the fear that African Americans often feel while driving, and wondering if slowing down can be something that gets them pulled over on suspicion.
(1st Picture) Ed Yohnka and Lloyd Randle chat before program. (2nd Picture) Chief Yates exchanges comments with a concerned citizen. (3rd Picture) Danville Vice-Mayor Tricia Teague praises Chief Yates for standing up before the critical crowd.
But one thing Chief Yates talked about when it was over was that in order for violent crime and homicides to continue going down in Danville, improving lives for everybody; the police and the community have to continue to work together. If you feel you were mistreated; yes, file a complaint. But if you are requesting additional officers to patrol your area, realize that they have a job to do to keep everyone safe.
AUDIO: What we’ve got to consider, with the traffic stops, we’re doing violation pullovers not people pullovers. If someone’s in a vehicle that we suspect being involved in a crime; whether it’s violent, property, or non-violent; we’re going to address it. I’ve talked to a lot more people, just in this room, and many of them tell us exactly what they want. They want to be able to enjoy their lives with a higher quality of life.
Danville Vice-Mayor Tricia Teague praised Chief Yates for standing up before the crowd and responding to questions. She also was very firm that residents wanting safer communities need to speak up, work with local police, and understand more patrols means more tickets are written. But an independent type of study; that would be fine with her. Teague says, she’s a data person.
(1st Picture) Chief Yates and Lloyd Randle talk prior to meeting. (2nd Picture) Resident asks Chief Yates to follow her as she demonstrates the fear of being followed by a policeman. (3rd Picture) Randle welcomes everyone at start of program.
AUDIO: I just feel like the police have a strong presence in our neighborhoods, and they’re doing some good things. But I also do feel like if there’s disparity in the numbers or in the data; maybe a study might be warranted just to be able to help us get to a solid baseline that everyone can agree with; and then we can move forward.
Lloyd Randle stated at the end of the program that if you drive west on I-74 there’s an area doing it right; getting residents and police together, and communicating. He says it starts with the Champaign Community Coalition.
AUDIO: Champaign – Urbana have a couple of police chiefs that are using 21st century techniques to actually bring people to the table to talk about what’s going on. Talk about what’s going on in neighborhoods; talk about why neighborhoods are at the place that they are. But they’re also finding way to engage the public, so that the public now has a first hand view of what officers do and why they do it. And the citizens that are engaged are actually making a difference in bringing (crime) numbers down. And the numbers in Champaign that have been reduced are phenomenal.
Randle’s last program on this issue, with the ACLU’s Yohnka attending, was in March of 2023, at the DACC Bremer Center.
