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
Sports Betting Brands Scaling Back Ads As Stocks Stumble
Sports betting has boomed over the past year; but at the same time, sports betting stocks have not been so hot. Now, some sports betting brands are starting to rethink how to spend their money, especially when it comes to ads. It will come after online sports betting brands spent more than $320 million on advertising in 2021, up 38% from 2020, per MediaRadar. Brendan Coffey, sports finance reporter for Sportico, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Rowing Machine Maker Hydrow Raises $55 Million
Rowing-machine maker, Hydrow, raised $55 million in Series D funding round, led by Constitution Capital. Hyrdow offers a connected rowing machine that costs $2,495. The company's funding round comes as the at-home fitness industry is facing some challenges, due to many consumers returning to gyms after working out at home during the pandemic. Bruce Smith, founder & CEO of Hydrow, joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Investigators Probe Cause of China Plane Crash
Aviation expert Sally Gethin joined Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss the latest on the crash of a Boeing 737-800 NG in China, as investigators look for a reason for the sudden nosedive, and search for any sign of the 132 passengers onboard.
Why We're Obsessed with Scammer Narratives
People can't get enough of 'The Dropout' and 'Inventing Anna.' Zoe Clews, founder of Zoe Clews & Associates, joins Cheddar News to discuss why people are obsessed with scammer narratives.
Castmates Olive Gray and Yerin Ha on Bringing 'Halo' to Life on Paramount+
The popular video game franchise "Halo" is set to debut as a streaming TV series on Paramount+, and cast members Olive Gray and Yerin Ha joined Cheddar to talk about bringing the Xbox shooter to life in a new medium. "I think it's really just a story about humanity and hope," said Ha. "And I hope that people can really go along that journey and feel it, feel the love that we put into it."
Stand-Up Comic Hannah Berner Talks Career, Wedding Plans, 'Berning' Questions
Comedian Hannah Berner joins Cheddar News to discuss her career in stand-up and on social media, her wedding plans, and answers our 'berning' questions. "I think it's important to not have too clear a plan of what you want to do in life," she said. "You don't know what app is going to be popular in two years. So I just go by — I don't wanna be woo woo, but the energy, what makes me happy, what brings me joy."
Beyond the Green T-Shirt: How Volodymyr Zelenskyy Became a Wartime President
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has assumed the role of an unlikely hero. Donning his iconic green t-shirt, the Ukrainian Leader has been praised for his relatable look and unique war-time approach as support pours in for his country under attack. Melinda Haring, deputy director, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss Zelenskyy's rise from comedian to a leader on the world stage.
Load More