By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington alderman Scott Black wants more public discussion before voting on a police substation for the city’s west side.
Black proposed the one-month delay at the city council’s meeting on Monday after several residents and the Black Lives Matter group said they only found out about this substation idea a few days ago.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with city manager David Hales on WJBC.
“You have to have education before confrontation,” Black said. “I want to get more of that community feedback. We are never going to be able to connect with every organization, every group.”
Black said he wanted a ‘fact-based’ discussion.
“I took a phone call from a gentleman who was very upset stating that this was going to be where a SWAT team was going to be held with gas masks and assault rifles,” Black said. “No where does it say that is going to be the case.”
Mid Central Community Action Director Deborah White told the council community partners recently hosted a forum on how to make west Bloomington a better place to live.
“Building positive relationships between residents and police was a consistent and passionate message of the safety groups participants,” White said.
White added the West Bloomington Housing Collaboration has conducted several surveys in recent years, including one this year.
“Ninety-one percent of respondents to our community impact measurement survey indicated they felt unsafe in their neighborhoods,” White said, noting the survey was offered door-to-door and by mail to residents near Friendship Park.
Mid Central owns the building which the city would lease for the substation for $1 per month.
The matter is scheduled to come back to the city council for a vote in January.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
Patti Penn contributed to this report.B
