Resolution 2020-14

Dear Kennett Residents and Business Owners,

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback regarding the proposed Resolution addressing Black lives from a few weeks ago. The Board of Supervisors and I have reviewed the submitted comments and have made edits to the proposed Resolution accordingly. Below is an amended version of Resolution 2020-14 acknowledging the systems of oppression of African-Americans. It is on the agenda for this Wednesday's Board of Supervisors Zoom meeting at 7:00 p.m. We encourage your continued participation in this matter as your feedback informs the decisions of your local government. 

Details for how to join our Zoom meeting can be found on our website via the Calendar and Agenda Center, or by clicking HERE for the full Board Packet of public documents.

Thank you.

Eden R. Ratliff
Township Manager
www.kennett.pa.us

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KENNETT TOWNSHIP
CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
 
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-14
 
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF TOWNSHIP OF KENNETT, CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, ACKNOWLEDGING THE SYSTEMS OF OPPRESSION OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS.  

 
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 engage in a root cause failure analysis in order to ameliorate the conditions that caused the defect, and continue to make the policies increasingly effective and just.

5. Develop a diverse group of advisors to Kennett Township leadership that will provide guidance on issues related to racial injustice as well as the experience of minorities locally.