The results of the Code for Asheville Petition for Police Accountability Through Data Transparency effort continue to be exciting.

Patrick Conant successfully presented to the Public Safety Committee and the effort has garnered endorsements from national organizations Code for America and the Sunlight Foundation together with a great list of local organizations, including the Asheville Buncombe County NAACPAsheville Youth MissionBeloved Asheville and Homeless Voice, the Center for Participatory ChangeCoven OldenwildeFaith 4 JusticePRC ApplicationsThe Asheville Blade, and Tranzmission. You can find an up-to-date list of endorsements and statements here.

The next big step is for Code for Asheville to present the petition to the Asheville City Council on May 24, 2018. We invite anyone who can to show up in support of the petition.

Assuming we are successful, however, we need to begin thinking about next steps. Our goal in asking the City to release the data is to empower the community to assess progress directly, to advocate for positive policy changes and to collaborate with the Asheville Police Department, City Council and City management to create a more equitable and just community.

All that doesn’t happen just because the data is released. At our Community Night this Thursday, we will talk about what next steps Code for Asheville can take to support the community after the data is released.

Please join us at 5:30pm at the Stephens-Lee Recreation Center, 30 George Washington Carver, Asheville, NC. Find a map and RSVP here. Free babysitting is available – email info@codeforasheville.org and let us know your name, your child’s age, and anything else the babysitter should know.