Washington state has had no immunity from the tragedies involving recent fatal police shootings in the U.S. that have brought more division than discussion about race and policing.
Thursday morning came the news that three police officers in the Eastern Washington city of Pasco would not be prosecuted in the shooting death of a rock-throwing Mexican immigrant on Feb. 10. The matter isn’t settled, the Associated Press reported. Among the reviews, a federal investigation continues. And the state will review the charging decision.
State Rep. Luis Moscoco, D-Mountlake Terrace, a member of the House Public Safety Committee, said he supported the legal duty of the Franklin County prosecutor but agreed with Gov. Jay Inslee’s call for a review of the charging decision by the state attorney general. Along with a through review of the facts, Moscoso said, lawmakers and the public should make “an ongoing effort to improve our criminal justice system to avoid future tragedies.”
Also Thursday came results from a new poll by public television station KCTS-9 and Elway Research on race, policing and the courts that could help inform discussion of what that effort should include.
A telephone survey of 400 Washington adults, with balanced representation of the state’s geographical regions, ethnicity, neighborhoods, education, age and income, offers a look at our attitudes and ideas. Among the findings:
Those surveyed were divided on the state of race relations nationally, with 47 percent saying relations were bad and 43 percent say relations were good.
Related to that, 45 percent believed relations were getting worse, compared to 33 percent who said there has been no change and 18 percent who said relations were better.
That pessimism isn’t felt as strongly at home.
A higher percentage — 86 percent — said race relations were good in their own communities, opposed to 10 percent who said relations were bad.
And 63 percent said a solution will eventually be worked out, while 28 percent said race will always be a problem.
Regarding police and the courts:
56 percent said police treat racial minorities and white people equally, while 27 percent said whites received better treatment from police.
And 48 percent said the courts treat whites and racial minorities equally, with 27 percent saying whites were treated more fairly.
It’s intriguing to note in both questions about police and the courts, there were no statistical differences between whites and minorities.
Regarding police shootings, 31 percent suggested body cameras for officers, 15 percent called for better training, 12 percent want more people of color in police departments, 10 percent wanted a greater police presence in high-crime areas; and 23 percent volunteered that all of the above should be considered.
What to glean from these numbers?
We see a significant number of Washington residents who have taken a considered view on issues regarding race, policing and our justice system, people who are willing to acknowledge problems but also see opportunities to make things better.
Calls for dialogue are common following shootings like the one in Pasco.
We appear more than ready for that dialogue.
Town hall talk
A town hall discussion, moderated by Enrique Cerna, about the results of the poll will be broadcast at 7 p.m. October 13 on KCTS, Channel 9. The program will be available online at KCTS9.org beginning Sept. 16.
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