Headlines June 9, 2020

Headlines June 9, 2020

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A bill that would lead to significant reform of law enforcement cleared the state senate this morning with only one Republican vote against it.  The bill includes measures that would increase accountability for police, including removing immunity from prosecution.

In her closing remarks this morning on the Senate floor Senator Rhonda Fields, a Democrat from Aurora, thanked lawmakers for supporting the bill and for saying enough is enough, Black lives do matter.

12 amendments were made to Senate Bill 217, including one which prohibits officers from using less-lethal projectiles on protesters to target their head, pelvis or back or to shoot them indiscriminately into a crowd. It also bars the use of chemical agents to disperse a crowd before giving orders and time for people to comply with them.

The Law Enforcement Accountability and Integrity Act was first introduced last week in the midst of large demonstrations in Denver. Police have been criticized for using pepper balls and tear gas on peaceful protestors and journalists.

SB 217 now heads to a House Committee. Public comment will happen on Wednesday.

A memorial service for George Floyd will take place in Denver’s Civic Center Park this evening at 7pm. Floyd, whose murder at the hands of police in Minneapolis has sparked worldwide protests was buried today in Houston Texas.

The number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 continues to be mostly on the decline in Colorado. Gov. Jared Polis gave an update earlier today, praising Coloradans for continuing with practices like social distancing and wearing masks to limit the spread of the virus.

The number of cases is still growing in the state, but at a much slower rate than last month.

There have been more than 28,000 cases in Colorado and 1,292 people have died from the virus.

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A bill that would lead to significant reform of law enforcement advanced at the state house yesterday.

The bill has some Republican lawmakers supporting it after amendments were made, including removing part of the bill that would have left an officer responsible for paying for part of a settlement incurred by the department whether or not they acted in good faith. That was replaced with language saying that officers would exempted if they acted on good faith and a “reasonable belief that the action is lawful.”

Some of the language around qualified immunity was also amended, but it remains part of the legislation. That means police could face prosecution for their actions.

Denver City Council met in person on Monday night. It was the first in-person meeting since the coronavirus restrictions were put in place in March.

Tackling police brutality in the wake of the recent protests dominated much of the discussion with more than 50 members of the public lining up to speak on the issue.

Two city council members, Stacie Gilmore and Chris Hinds, called for a measure to defund the police department.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock issued a statement on Monday evening saying “I understand people’s frustrations, and there is always room to make improvements and implement big changes if they are necessary. But I’m not inclined to oversimplify this into ‘defunding’ the police department.”

Denver City Council also passed a proclamation that declared racism a public health crisis.

Denver Police Department has announced three policy changes in the wake of the recent protests.
These include:
1.   No exceptions to the ban on chokeholds.
2.   Denver Metro SWAT body cams must be recording during tactical operations.
3.   Officers must now file a report anytime they intentionally point their gun at a person.

Three prominent restaurants in Boulder will permanently close. The Walnut Restaurant Group, which operates The Med, Brasserie Ten Ten and Via Perla, will permanently close those three eateries, according to a message posted Monday to the restaurants’ websites.

The message said that with the new economic pressures that the hospitality industry is facing, they simply cannot continue to run and operate the businesses with the level of quality and service that they are committed to providing.

City staff in Longmont started removing tape from playgrounds in the city on Monday, as part of the city’s reopening of playgrounds and picnic shelters.

A playground area that is still taped off should be avoided for now.

The city said the new Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment guidelines announced last Thursday remain in place for all Longmont parks, playgrounds, shelters and other facilities.

Some of the guidelines include avoiding the park if you are having flu-like symptoms, maintaining 6-foot social distancing, having face coverings, and no more than 10 individuals may be on a playground or in a shelter area at one time.

Officials said Longmont parks’ restrooms remain open and continue to be cleaned twice daily but please bring hand sanitizers and wipes when using those facilities.

Use of playgrounds and shelters is at the visitor’s own risk.