Help Stop Police Violence Against Communities of Color

The Scourge of Police Violence

Acts of police violence against minorities and people of color are beginning to feel like mass shootings. They occur, they briefly dominate the news, the public demands change, and the response from politicians sounds in echoes of “thoughts and prayers.” Even statements from Democratic politicians begin to ring hollow when not coupled with specific reforms. The time is long past for elected officials and candidates to commit to specific policies that will reduce police violence against the public and especially against people of color.

If you are looking for policies that can be adopted to restrain police violence against communities of color, please consider calling elected officials and demanding concrete steps.

For Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel City Councilors, and the County Board of Supervisors:
  • A ban on all chokeholds and strangleholds, including the “Carotid Control Technique” that is currently authorized by OC Sheriff’s use of force policy. The Carotid Control Technique involves the use of pressure on the neck to cut off blood supply to the brain. If misapplied or held for too long, it can often result in death. San Diego just banned it.
  • Demand immediate third party review, and a public report on, the OC Sheriff’s use of force policies.
  • Visit 8 Can’t Wait for data-driven policies that local governments can take to reduce police violence immediately.
For State Legislators & Governor:
  • Support legislation requiring the creation of true civilian oversight commissions for all state and local law enforcement, with dedicated funding at a percentage of the law enforcement agency’s budget, the ability to receive public complaints and to make public reports on the results of its investigations, and the ability to make factual findings binding on officer disciplinary decisions.
  • Support the repeal of the California “Police Bill of Rights” that makes it exceedingly difficult to meaningfully investigate the use of excessive force by law enforcement and to remove or discipline law enforcement who use excessive force.
  • Support the funding for non-police emergency response to mental health and substance abuse crises, homelessness issues, domestic violence, and natural disasters, including support of AB 2054, the C.R.I.S.E.S. Act (contact legislators directly - don’t just fill in the petition).
For Federal Representatives:
Contact Information:

Laguna Niguel City Council
Aliso Viejo City Council
O.C. Supervisor Lisa Bartlett
Assemblymember Bill Brough: (949) 347-7301
State Senator Pat Bates: (949) 598-5850
Governor Gavin Newsom: (916) 445-2841
Congressman Harley Rouda: (202) 225-2415
Senator Diane Feinstein: (310) 914-7300
Senator Kamala Harris: (310) 231 - 4494

These are by no means the only policies that can reduce police violence, and there are many resources available online with additional specific proposals. If you’ve been looking to make a specific ask of your representatives, however, we wanted to give you some options. Reform will take time to enact, let’s get started on it now.

Additional Resources:

8 Can't Wait - Immediate action to reduce deaths at the hands of the police.
Campaign Zero - Longer-term data-driven reform, including pending legislation in your area.
A Discussion on Defunding the Police - What it means.