Black Student Alliance Holds Policing Forum

The student leadership of the Black Student Alliance, in partnership with the Office of Student Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, held a forum about policing strategies on Wednesday, Oct. 2nd. Panelists included Frostburg Sate University Police Chief Cynthia Smith, the City of Frostburg Police Chief Nicholas Costello, and Dr. Jeff Graham, the Interim Vice President for Student Affairs. The forum was held on the heels of a Saturday, Sept. 22 disturbance at 19 Bobcat Court which resulted in two damaged police vehicles and the dispersal of the crowd of approximately 150 students using pepper spray. The event attracted over 40 students and was moderated by Robin Wynder.

The one hour forum began with opening remarks from Dr. Jeff Graham who commented that some of the details of the Sept. 22 incident were “indisputable,” including reports that rocks were thrown at police officers as they approached the scene at 12:38 am, following citizen complaints of noise. Graham continued saying, “No one was charged which is a good thing.” Graham also provided policing data, saying that 36 parties have been broken up this semester, “each with a positive outcome,” with the only exception being Sept. 22’s disturbance.

Chief Smith, in her introduction, argued that her officers are attempting to “keep the peace and balance freedoms” while also “keeping students safe.” Moreover, Smith suggested that if we had, “a better connection between communities and police, along with more engaged young people like yourselves, we would all be better off.”

After a brief introduction and a plea for “a shared quest for truth versus speculation,” Chief Costello praised the City of Frostburg police force for their community-building attempts.

Following the formalities, the crowd was able to ask questions. The first, “What does the Unruly Social Gathering Ordinance really mean?” by SGA Senator Samuel Bankole was answered by Graham who broke down the ordinance into layman’s terms: “Essentially, if you stay out of the streets, which was the main reason this ordinance was necessary, avoid situations with amplified music, and avoid having people that you don’t know at your house, you’ll be fine.” Moreover, Graham praised the ordinance as a deterrent, saying, “This is a medium tool in the tool box which will be used sparingly.” Graham also discussed the genesis of the ordinance, which began being discussed in 2012 to address unrecognized fraternities. As a follow-up, student Leslie Olemba asked, “Now in 2019, who is the target, if not unrecognized fraternities?” to which Graham responded, “The target is all unruly people.”

This commentary prompted SGA Public Relations Senator Daysha Sanders to give her anecdotal experience of the Sept. 22 incident, as she was attending the birthday party held on Bobcat Court. Sanders asked, “So, what are the specific protocols for engaging with students? I was at the party, watching the police chase down my friends with mace. I was scared for my life.” Chief Costello responded, “That would have never happened without the rock throwing.” Costello’s answer did not satisfy the crowd who grew increasingly more impatient and tense. Many students shouted, “So, where’s the video?” and, “Do you have actual proof of that?” Each of the panelists affirmed the rock throwing activity, which they said was obvious in body-worn camera footage from the evening in question.

Upset, Cayla “CJ” Johnson pressed on saying, “I’ve heard a lot of questions tonight and a lot of vague answers, but you need to answer [Daysha’s] question. What is the protocol? Our safety is at risk, too. It was us you were chasing with mace.” Chief Smith responded to Johnson that mace is an “established use of force that was the safest for all involved.”

Brinia Frazier moved the topic to police profiling and said she had “been to a few white parties and a few black parties” and that, “the black parties are the ones always getting broken up.” To this, Chief Costello responded that most police actions are “complaint-driven.” None of the panelists further commented on the possible disparity between police intervention of parties based on race.

The last topic of discussion, “Where can we be allowed to come together? That’s what we’re trying to do, so where can we go?” was asked by the Black Student Alliance Public Relations Chair, Kaylah Mason. Graham defended the inclusive programming strategies by the university and cited the decrease in police presence at Late @ Lane events. Continuing, Graham admitted, “there is no city venue for this. Why don’t you become an entrepreneur and make a space or come work for the University Programming Council? I am always willing to listen to your ideas.”

The forum, which ended promptly at 7:00 p.m. brought up more questions than answers for some attendees. Wydner sensed this and reminded those in the audience that this was only a first step in establishing a positive relationship between students and the police may take time.

The Bottom Line reported on Sept. 29 that our request to view the body-worn camera footage from the Sept. 22 incident had gone unanswered. Since that time, FSUPD Chief Smith has offered to allow TBL‘s Managing Editor, the President of SGA, Jenna Puffinburger, and the President of BSA, Korey King to view the tapes, with official permission from the States Attorney of Allegany County, Maryland.