Number
200324
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. RAINEY
Title
Substitute resolution directing the Department of Administration-Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of state legislation that would prohibit the use of chemical deterrents by local law enforcement agencies for crowd control or dispersal.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of state legislation that would prohibit the use of chemical deterrents by local law enforcement agencies for crowd control or dispersal.
Body
Whereas, The Milwaukee Police Department uses the chemical deterrent CS (chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) spray for crowd control and dispersal; and
Whereas, Other law enforcement agencies throughout the state use CS spray or another form of tear gas as a chemical deterrent to control and disperse crowds; and
Whereas, CS spray, other forms of tear gas and chemical deterrents in general cause a burning sensation in the eyes as well as profuse tearing, making it all but impossible to keep the eyes open, irritating the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat, resulting in coughing, nasal discharge, disorientation, difficulty breathing and partial incapacitation; and
Whereas, The use of chemical deterrents like CS spray and other forms of tear gas for crowd control or dispersal indiscriminately affects all persons in a crowd, including persons gathering peacefully to express social concerns, and can threaten the health and safety of peaceful persons in a crowd; and
Whereas, The use of chemical deterrents like CS spray and other forms of tear gas for crowd control or dispersal can escalate rather than deescalate tensions between the local law enforcement agencies and a crowd expressing social concerns, exacerbating the situation and provoking a violent reaction; and
Whereas, Prohibiting the use of chemical deterrents like CS spray and other forms of tear gas for crowd control or dispersal will encourage local law enforcement agencies to develop less confrontational, less indiscriminate, more humane, more equitable and more effective tactics for crowd management; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to seek introduction and passage of state legislation that would prohibit the use of chemical deterrents by local law enforcement agencies for crowd control or dispersal; and, be it
Further Resolved, That Resolution File Number 180898 is amended by inserting the following item in the document attached to the file and identified as “AMENDED 2019-2020 State Legislative Package - Detailed Proposals and Key Issues”:
|
Public Health and Safety |
Fire and Police Commission and the Police Department |
Seek introduction and passage of state legislation that would prohibit the use of chemical deterrents by local law enforcement agencies for crowd control or dispersal. |
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to the City’s delegation to the State Legislature.
Requester
Drafter
LRB 176184 - 2
Aaron Cadle
July 16, 2020