Milton Boone, Kensington community member
Editor’s note: The responses have been lightly edited for clarity and conciseness.
What do you think of everything that’s going on in the neighborhood and the city in regards to the following: peaceful protests, damage to businesses, looting, and the police response to protests, damages, or looting?
It’s nothing new. The only thing that’s new is the [National Guard]. They bring these turkeys down here to intimidate us. I told them I appreciate what they do, just not necessarily here.
What solutions do you hope to see in your community or in general after these protests?
I just hope the city gets fair.
In light of current events, what are the issues that you would like the Kenney administration, city council, and the rest of city government to focus on in the upcoming budget to help your community?
I think — and I’m an addict — that they gotta address the drug use. There are people that have been out here for years and years. They put them in any shelter and the safe haven shelters where you don’t have to do recovery, you don’t have to get mental health services or nothing. They give you free housing, and now you’re in free housing — by yourself — and if you overdose, there’s nobody there to do anything.
How would you describe the policing in your community, and what would you like to see in the police department moving forward?
The police got a job to do, and I may have to call ‘em one day, right? I think they’re overly doing their job and their attitude isn’t right, especially the younger ones. They hire police that aren’t used to being in neighborhoods like these or used to confronting people like me. When they walk up on somebody like me, they’re automatically scared — they’re automatically ready to kill me because they’re scared to death. They take that to times 10 and, next thing you know, there’s a knee on your neck for nine minutes. So, they need to watch who they give these police jobs to. You gotta really critique the person who you put out in these neighborhoods. Some cops maybe should be in Bucks County, not down K&A.
To read more Community Responses, click here.
Editors: Claire Wolters, Zari Tarazona, Siani Colón / Designer: Henry Savage
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