Citizen Review Board Strives To Unite Residents and Police Force

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (CITRUS TV NEWS)– The Citizen Review Board, composed of local Syracuse residents, started work again at the beginning of this year. The goal of the CRB is to keep police accountable and also help residents understand why police act in ways that they do. In a meeting on Dec. 1st, The board updated the common council and steps they have been taking. 

“We set up a time to go to the 911 center to learn how they dispatch calls and what’s important to them and the community,” Citizens Review Board Administrator Nolita Tanyhill said.

By distributing educational materials in the community and tabling at various events, they hope to help the community face less fear when talking to police officers. 

“We want younger kids to be comfortable interacting with police officers but also be aware with their surroundings and whats happening in the community,” Tanyhill said.

While acting as a liaison between residents and police is part of the board’s job, it’s not all that they do.

“What I’m looking at doing is pulling the data from the city police department to map out what’s going on in each of the three areas for the last three years to find solutions to these issues,” CRB member Don Johnson said.

Reporter: Brody Miller