The Cedar Rapids City Council gave final approval on Tuesday to the establishment of an independent citizen review board that will oversee the Cedar Rapids Police Department. The board will be responsible for reviewing police data and policies, implementing a program of community outreach and be part of future police chief candidate selection committees. The […]
Advocates for Social Justice
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‘It is a milestone day’: Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously approves police review board during first vote
The Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously advanced an ordinance that puts the city one step closer to establishing an independent citizen review board for the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Tuesday’s vote was the first of three required to enact the ordinance. If approved in February, Cedar Rapids will be the second city in the state […]
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The Cedar Rapids City Council will vote on a citizen review board for CRPD in early 2021
One of the first items the Cedar Rapids City Council will take up in 2021 will continue work that was started last summer — creating an independent citizen review board in the city. At the council’s first meeting of the new year on Jan. 12, there will be a motion to set a public hearing […]
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Monday is the final day for early voting and for getting absentee ballots in the mail
Monday is the last day for early voting. The drive-through voting sites in Johnson County — at the parking ramp of the Johnson County Human Services Building in Iowa City (855 S Dubuque St) — and Linn County — near the Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center in Cedar Rapids (823 3rd St SW) […]
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Advocates for Social Justice offering free Uber rides to the polls for all voters and childcare reimbursement
Iowans who need transportation to their polling place can use a free Uber voucher provided by the Advocates for Social Justice. The Cedar Rapids group announced on their Facebook page Wednesday evening that they are partnering with Democracy Defenders Iowa to expand their free Uber voucher to all Iowa voters. The group has already been […]
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Cedar Rapids City Council advances plans to create a citizen review board
The Cedar Rapids City Council unanimously approved a resolution on Tuesday that brings the city another step closer to creating a citizen review board for the city’s police department. The resolution directs city staff to create an ordinance based on the recommendations developed by city staff. The ordinance is expected to be drafted and presented […]
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Survey shows Cedar Rapids residents support creating a citizen review board for the CRPD
Slightly more than half of Cedar Rapids residents who responded to the city’s survey believe a citizen review board would have a positive impact on the community. The Cedar Rapids City Council heard from city staff on Tuesday about the survey results and next steps, including a resolution with recommendations that will come before council […]
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Advocates for Social Justice offering free Uber rides to the polls for Linn County voters
The grassroots group Advocates for Social Justice is trying to make it easier for people to vote in the upcoming general election. The group is offering free Uber rides for Linn County voters and is organizing various events near polling places. Early voting in Iowa began on Monday. County auditors began mailing out absentee ballots […]
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Linn County hires Tamara Marcus as its first sustainability program manager
The Linn County Board of Supervisors has hired Tamara Marcus as the county’s first sustainability program manager. Marcus is a Ph.D. candidate in the Natural Resources and Earth System Sciences program at the University of New Hampshire. “Her research interests include using bioinformatic techniques to understand the impact of warming on microbial mediation of carbon […]
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Derecho recovery delays plan to establish citizens review board in Cedar Rapids
The timeline to establish an independent citizens review board in Cedar Rapids to provide public oversight of the police has been pushed back a couple of months due to the impacts of the Aug. 10 derecho. A presentation to the Cedar Rapids City Council on recommendations and results from the public input process is now […]
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Food and water pick-up locations in Cedar Rapids, Marion this weekend
Below are publicly announced events where food and water will be distributed on Saturday and Sunday. Ongoing Linn County Emergency Management Agency announced three locations in Linn County that will have food, water and ice. Starting Saturday, the locations will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The drive-through assistance locations are located […]
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Places to get food and water in Cedar Rapids on Thursday and Friday (Updated)
As much of Cedar Rapids remains without power, organizations in the community are providing food and water to residents. Below are the publicly announced events where food and water will be distributed on Thursday and Friday. Thursday, Aug. 13 The city of Cedar Rapids announced that Hy-Vee and HACAP will be providing water and food […]
