As massive waves of protesters in communities across the U.S. call for fundamental changes in American policing, former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter told Cheddar the nation must find a balance between good policing and civilian safety.

“Black people, and just about everyone else I think, want some kind of law enforcement, keepers of the pace, in their community,” he said. “People want to be safe, but they don’t want to be abused while they’re being supposedly made safe.”

The death of George Floyd at the hands of police kicked off a movement that continues to gain traction. Lawmakers in some major U.S. cities, including New York Los Angeles and Minneapolis, are discussing plans to reallocate portions of police funding to go to programs that improve community relations and quality of life ⁠— an idea Nutter supports.

“Budgets should be scrupulously reviewed,” he said. “They should be scrutinized first by, in many instances, the mayor putting it forward in any city and certainly the city council…should go through that budget.”

As a two-term black mayor, Nutter has a rare perspective on maintaining community and police relations amid tragic killings. He said both sides of the issue are equally as difficult to address. Nutter said he made efforts at community reconciliation by addressing community members to help them understand the dangers of policing as well as helping officers understand that civilians “want to be treated like you would treat a family member.” 

Still, Nutter hopes Floyd’s death, while devastatingly tragic, comes with reinforcing change.

“His legacy very well could be a significant, if not massive, change in policing in the United States of America and possibly other parts of the world,” he said.

Nutter echoed a familiar message in cities with embattled police departments: community and law enforcement relations can move forward once the people see real change.

Share:
More In Culture
Potential Legal Consequences Of 'Rust' On-Set Shooting
Could Alec Baldwin face legal consequences after accidentally shooting and killing a cinematographer on the set of 'Rust'? That's a question many in Hollywood are asking after the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins. Some in the industry are even asking for a ban on guns on the set of films and television shows. Dan Gilleon, lead trial attorney at the Gilleon Law Firm, discusses the potential legal consequences for all involved in the accident, saying "everyone will be sued."
Behind the Record-Shattering Halloween Spending
Deacon Hayes, founder of Well Kept Wallet, joins "Cheddar Reveals" to discuss how 2021 Halloween spending compares to previous years and how to best prepare for the influx of holiday spending.
A Look At the Iconic M&M Candy
Tim LeBel, President of Sales and Chief Halloween Officer at Mars Wrigley, joins 'Cheddar Reveals' to discuss the M&M's 80th birthday, what goes into maintaining an iconic brand, and how Mars Wrigley plans for future Halloweens.
The Makings of an Iconic Candy; Behind the Record-Setting Halloween Spending
On this episode of Cheddar Reveals, Tim LeBel, President of Sales and Chief Halloween Officer at Mars Wrigley, discusses the M&M's 80th birthday, what goes into maintaining an iconic brand, and how Mars Wrigley plans for future Halloweens.; Deacon Hayes, founder of Well Kept Wallet, joins to break down how 2021 Halloween spending compares to previous years and how to best prepare for the influx of holiday spending.; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'Witches: A Century of Murders.'
The Real Reason We Check Our Halloween Candy
If you went trick-or-treating as a child, did your parents warn you against the possibility of poisoned candy? Did they forbid you from trying anything before they inspected your Halloween haul? We asked some experts from The Conversation to explain the fanciful origins of this annual panic and its very real consequences. Stay tuned to discover the real dangers lurking on Halloween night…
Load More