Black Lives Matter

Draft Resolution:

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF TOWNSHIP OF KENNETT, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER.

 
WHEREAS, Kennett Township acknowledges that Black Lives Matter; and 
 
WHEREAS, Kennett Township acknowledges systems of oppression, such as slavery, sharecropping, Jim Crow, redlining, and mass incarceration, continue to affect the physical and mental health, safety, and education of African Americans; and
 
WHEREAS, Kennett Township acknowledges that recent incidents such as the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery remind us that police brutality and disregard for Black people's lives has caused the loss of numerous lives for no reason other than racist biases; and
 
WHEREAS, Kennett Township strives to be a welcoming place where all people feel protected, included, secure and safe; and
 
WHEREAS, the Kennett Township Board of Supervisors stand in solidarity with the Black community, and strive to hold our Township departments and ourselves to the only standard that will begin to protect all of us: one of equality and justice that embraces all people, not just those with the most privilege;   and  
 
WHEREAS, now is a time that requires action, for we cannot be inactive and address this issue,  
 
NOW, THEREFORE, the Board of Supervisors of Kennett Township ORDERS and RESOLVES as follows;

1. To conduct a review of all existing policies to ensure they are antiracist and that all policies to be developed are also antiracist and not developed to serve only those with privilege;
2. To conduct annual diversity training with a focus on confronting direct and indirect racism;
3. To explore and implement tools and resources within the Kennett Township Police Department to enhance emergency service delivery in times of crisis for all persons;
4. When policies fail, Kennett Township will wholeheartedly and enthusiastically start over and seek out new and more effective antiracist policies until they work.