A Cedar Rapids Police officer was fired for turning off the microphone that should have been recording a traffic stop he conducted in October 2016, then lying about it. The stop in question occurred on Oct. 30, 2016, two days before the officer, Lucas Jones, shot and paralyzed Jerime “Danky” Mitchell during a traffic stop […]
Cedar Rapids Police Department
Posted inCommunity/News
‘It hurts, it really does’: Advocates for Social Justice feel silenced as Cedar Rapids starts process of forming police review board
Members of the Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) said they feel their voices are being silenced after virtually meeting with city officials last week to discuss how to move forward with establishing a citizens review board in Cedar Rapids. The grassroots group has been meeting with city leaders over the last few weeks to discuss […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Protest march in Cedar Rapids turns into a celebration after the city council unanimously backs demands for reform
“Happy Juneteenth,” the crowd of about 150 people chanted on Friday as they marched from Cedar Rapids City Hall to the African American Museum of Iowa in light rain. June 19 — Juneteenth — is the anniversary of the day in 1865 when the news that slavery had been abolished reached formerly enslaved people in […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids Police Department fires Lucas Jones, an officer involved in two shootings
Lucas Jones, a sergeant in the patrol division of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, has been fired for violating departmental rules and policies, CRPD announced on Thursday. “Fire Lucas Jones” has been a frequent chant at recent protests calling for police reform in Cedar Rapids, but the official statement regarding Jones’ firing doesn’t mention the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘It’s time for action’: Hundreds march in Cedar Rapids to push for police reform and other changes
About 15 minutes into Saturday’s march in Cedar Rapids, protesters stopped at the intersection of 19th Street and Bever Avenue. They used chalk to draw and write various messages in the outline of #BLM, an emblem for Black Lives Matter. Twenty minutes later, the protesters stopped again. This time it was at the intersection of […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids is committed to forming a citizens review board, police chief says
The city of Cedar Rapids is working to establish an independent citizens review board, Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman said during a news conference on Friday. “We understand this step is important to the community, and we are committed to making this happen,” Jerman said. Iowa City is currently the only city in the […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Discussions between Cedar Rapids officials and protest organizers begin
Leslie Neely, Tamara Marcus and Nicole LeGrand organized last Saturday’s protest in Cedar Rapids, which more than 2,000 people attended. The women didn’t expect to be in this position — organizing another protest for this upcoming Saturday, meeting with city leaders to discuss reforms, fielding questions from reporters — but they are ready to see […]
Posted inCommunity/News
People in Cedar Rapids march against racism and demand ‘bold police reforms’
More than 2,000 people showed up at Greene Square Park in Cedar Rapids late Saturday afternoon to peacefully protest police violence, racism and the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. “You want to know why black people are angry?” Ture Morrow asked the crowd. “We are angry because we can’t be handcuffed and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Coralville is quiet, one glass panel is broken in Iowa City as protests over racism and police violence continue
People gathered in front of the Coralville Police Department on Monday to protest racism and police violence, and express solidarity with others around the country moved to action following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers. Some held signs, some chanted, some chalked messages on the sidewalk. Even though the protest was peaceful, […]
Posted inCOVID-19
More than 200 COVID-19 cases confirmed in Linn County, Cedar Rapids may close parks and trails due to overcrowding
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to increase daily in Linn County, which has the most positive cases and deaths caused by the virus of any county in Iowa. On average, the number of cases has increased by 12 each day since March 21, when the first positive cases of the virus were […]
Posted inCommunity/News
Cedar Rapids police warn of COVID-19 scams, discuss closure enforcement; city closes more outdoor spots
The City of Cedar Rapids is closing additional outdoor facilities to limit the spread of COVID-19. Last week, the city announced playgrounds and outdoor exercise stations were temporarily closed. As of Thursday, Riverside Skate Park, basketball courts, tennis courts, sand volleyball and baseball fields are also closed. Signage has been posted at closed facilities, and […]
Posted inCommunity/News
‘One death is one too many’: Cedar Rapids leaders discuss gun violence prevention in the city
Last year, there were 99 shots-fired incidents in Cedar Rapids, but only 9 percent of those cases resulted in an arrest, Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman said during a discussion at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. He emphasized the importance of the community working together with police to address gun violence in the city. […]
