Measure C: What is It and What Can It Change?
You know when something isn’t something, but pretends to be that thing even though it isn’t that thing? Frustrating, right? Like, if one could comment on such a thing, one might label it as an outright lie, or even a malicious (or tremendous depending on the density of your most recent spray tan) deception; but many people, especially in Los Angeles, would also assume that the government didn’t do things like that, and even if they believed the “big government” federal suits are incapable of telling a truth (which they very well might be as of late), there’s no way local government would tell us something that’s the opposite of what they claim it to be; after all, our party is in power around these parts, and California is one of the bluest states in the Union. So, what could possibly go wrong?
Problem is, there are a lot of holes in that argument, and I’m not just talking about the big, obvious, middle-of-the-donut holes; I’m also referring to the smaller ones, little logical fallacies and assumptions that build up behind potentially helpful policies and transform them into hurtful, corrupt ones that stand in the way of justice and representational equality.
If you’d like me to stop waxing eloquent, I refuse. Personally, I enjoy writing in a mildly confusing manner; it keeps my readers on their toes. But in case you’re wondering what on earth did the last two paragraphs mean? What a waste of time, I’d encourage you keep reading, not because you’ll be satisfied, but because in about one sentence I’ll explain everything and I know you enjoy the feeling of connecting the dots in your head as much as I enjoy losing a game of Connect Four to a 3-year-old, so you should totally stick around, because I’m sure both of those things happen quite often.
I’m talking about Measure C.
Boring! You probably just thought while continuing to read this sentence because you have nothing better to do, Measure C sounds like the hottest new laxative designed for a softer bowel evacuating experience! And while you’re not completely wrong because Measure C should have made you soil your trousers the moment it was proposed, that’s altogether missing the point.
Measure C was proposed before the most recent local Los Angeles County election. Per the Los Angeles County Registrar’s Office, a yes vote was in favor of allowing police officers accused of misconduct (i.e. anything from stealing $20 to murdering innocent civilians) a choice: either appear before a “Board of Rights” comprised of two fellow officers and one civilian, or appear before a similar board made of three civilians. A no vote was against changing the current disciplinary system, which requires the Board of Rights to be comprised of two officers with rank of captain or higher (thus ensuring the accused officer was being held accountable by superiors instead of merely peers) and a civilian.
So, “yes” means police officers get to choose between appearing in front of two direct peers and one civilian or three civilians. “No” means they still must appear before their superiors and one civilian.
This might not seem like an issue, but consider this: the Los Angeles County Police Department sued the city for the right to use civilians in panels after realizing that civilians are more likely than officers to rule in favor of the accused.
Does that change your opinion?
Well, if it did, it doesn’t matter, because on May 17th, 2017, Measure C passed overwhelmingly with 92,874 votes representing 57% of ballots cast.
In a county with a population of over 10 million people, not even 200,000 showed up to vote on Measure C.
But that’s okay, because Measure C must have been discussed thoroughly before it was put on the ballot, right?
Wrong. In fact, City Council President Herb Wesson promised a series of hearings on police discipline after the passing of Measure C.
That’s like saying “Hey boss, that drug we didn’t test is ready to be approved by the FDA.”
In all seriousness, the only way laws that cripple accountability won’t be quietly pushed past unsuspecting citizens is if people show up to vote more often than once every four years. In a place like Los Angeles, with over 10 million in-county residents, it doesn’t take much more of us to show up and make a difference, even if you did support Measure C.
Apathy might not directly hurt people, but it’s the getaway driver during the heist of our basic rights, and the only way we can catch him before he gets away is by turning out to the polls.
