Number
200323
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. RAINEY
Title
Substitute resolution urging the Fire and Police Commission to adopt a rule prohibiting the use of chemical deterrents for crowd control or dispersal.
Analysis
This resolution urges the Fire and Police Commission to adopt a rule prohibiting the use of chemical deterrents for crowd control or dispersal.
Body
Whereas, The chemical deterrent CS (chlorobenzylidene malononitrile) spray is a form of tear gas used by the Police Department for crowd control and dispersal; and
Whereas, CS spray causes 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 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 for crowd control or dispersal can escalate rather than deescalate tensions between the police 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 for crowd control or dispersal will encourage the police department 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 Fire and Police Commission is urged to adopt a rule prohibiting the use of chemical deterrents for crowd control or dispersal.
Requester
Drafter
LRB 176117 - 2
Aaron Cadle
July 16, 2020