As Maplewood city officials begin to consider the upcoming fiscal year’s budget, a group of residents have been analyzing how Proposition P funds might be best utilized. Maplewood Community Builders (MCB) first gathered in a community meeting at the Focal Point in November 2017 to discuss the 2017 countywide ballot measure which enacted a 0.5% sales tax increase for ‘police and public safety.’
Maplewood is one of four St Louis County municipalities where residents are organizing around this issue. Citizen-led efforts to influence Prop P spending are also underway in Webster Groves, Chesterfield and University City.
In the early months of 2018, members of MCB canvassed neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces around Maplewood with a survey in an attempt to better understand how their neighbors felt about public safety and policing in Maplewood. The 440 survey results were compiled, analyzed and then presented to city officials and council members in early April.
A second community meeting was held in April 2018 at New Destiny Apostolic Church where further conversations and brainstorming on the topic occurred among residents, council members, and Maplewood Police Chief Steve Kruse.
MCB members have compiled data and results of the discussion from the April community meeting to provide a comprehensive report, Re-Envisioning Public Safety & Justice. Based on results of the survey and community meeting, they developed a set of recommendations related to public safety. According to the report, the public safety survey indicated that, while most in Maplewood feel safe and trust the police, many have concerns about discriminatory behavior by officers. The four main recommendations from MCB are:
- Create a Public Safety Commission.
- Build trust through transparency.
- Catalyze positive interactions with Police.
- Commit to reducing fines, fees and confinement.
MCB organizers and volunteers say they were particularly struck by the racial disparity in survey responses. Organizing team member Nicky Rainy believes the survey process has altered her perception of what ‘public safety’ means in her neighborhood. “After volunteering to survey, I started to see public safety in a bigger way,” she said. “Now I know that confronting discrimination is part of safety too.”
Chief Kruse recognizes the racial disparity in perceptions of police demonstrated by survey results and says he believes that it stems from individual backgrounds and experiences. He also places a value on fairness and the importance of public perception stating, “As with any organization, you’re only as good as the public perceives you to be.”
While he does not believe that Prop P funds should be used to create a Public Safety Commission or be allocated for mediation services, Kruse does state he and the department already place an emphasis on positive community engagement by police.
“We encourage officers to get out of their vehicles and interact with residents as much as possible,” said Kruse. “We also make sure to be present and visible during all community events.’
Kruse believes that using Prop P funds to add two additional officers to the force would allow for improved efficiency and efficacy in responding to calls.
Organizers from MCB said that Maplewood residents are generally satisfied with the efficiency of the department and delayed response was not a concern that arose from their survey or meetings. Jennifer Drake Fantroy, who acted as facilitator at both community meetings said, “While survey respondents and meeting participants cited the value of having a responsive police force, some also noted that sometimes the response seemed excessive and disproportionate. Several offered anecdotes of seeing several police officers at a single traffic stop.”
Leslie Kuess, an MCB volunteer, has hopes that city officials will consider the report as an opportunity to create greater equity in Maplewood.
“I am grateful for the brave voices which contributed to the survey,’ said Kuess. ‘My hope is that our city government will hear those voices and use a portion of the Prop P dollars to develop policies and practices to reduce the inequality that exists in Maplewood.”
The next fiscal year’s budget has not yet been presented to City Council members for approval. However, it is expected to include line-item spending of at least a portion of the $400,000 Prop P tax revenue.
Jenny Schmidt, City Council representative from Ward 3, is grateful for the input from constituents.
“I really appreciate the thoughtful approach that Maplewood Community Builders has taken in reaching out to the community,” said Schmidt. “I look forward to working with the City and my fellow Council members on reviewing their recommendations and working together to try and incorporate them into the plan for how the Prop P funds will be spent.”