City Commission To Review Annual Police Racial Profile Report
The Edinburg City Commission will review the Annual Police Racial Profile report as required by state law. The Commission will also consider appointing up to 16 residents to positions on various city boards.
Prior to the regular City Council meet at 6 pm, the Council will hold a workshop at 5 pm to discuss a report regarding the Ebony Hills Golf Course.
According to Edinburg Police Chief Jaime Ayala, the Texas Racial Profiling Law became effective January 1, 2002, with the intent to collect police contact data on traffic and pedestrian stops for the purpose of identifying and responding, if necessary, to concerns regarding racial profiling practices.
The law requires that the 2022 Annual Report be made available to the governing body of the municipality and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Additionally, the law requires a policy that clearly defines acts that constitute racial profiling and a statement indicating prohibition of any Edinburg peace officer from engaging in racial profiling. The city is also required to implement disciplinary guidelines for peace officers found in violation of the law and collect data for subsequent reporting that includes information on race and ethnicity of individuals detained, whether a search was conducted, if there was a search, whether it was a consent or probable cause search, or whether a custody arrest took place.
Edinburg Police Department’s records indicate that a total of 19,303 officer-initiated traffic stops were made for the reporting period.
According to Ayala, the comprehensive analysis of the data included in the report demonstrates that the Edinburg Police Department has complied with the Texas Racial Profiling Law and all its requirements. Additionally, the report demonstrates that the police department has incorporated a comprehensive racial profiling policy and offers information to the public on how to file a compliment or complaint.
The department also commissions quarterly data audits to ensure validity and reliability, collects and commissions the analysis of tier 2 data, and ensures that the practice of racial profiling is not tolerated.
The City Council will also consider appointments to the following City Boards, Councils, Commissions and Committees:
Two (2) members of the All America City David Chavana 10-K Advisory Board
Five (5) members of the Community Development Council
One (1) member of the Edinburg Golf Board
One (1) member of the Landfill Advisory Board
Two (2) members of the Public Library Board
One (1) member of the Public Safety Advisory Board
Three (3) members of the Recreation and Parks Board and
One (1) member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment
The Edinburg City Council will also hear a presentation from the Rio Grande Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (RGVMPO) on their2022 State of the System Report.
The RGVMPO has put together a 32-page booklet filled with data about the Rio Grande Valley. They requested time on the agenda to present the information to the Edinburg City Council. The report is an overview of the region, including land use, population, employment, poverty, housing, commuting, housing and transportation affordability, and education.
The focus is on the Valley’s transportation, roadways, airports, transit, biking and pedestrian walkways, seaports, waterways, land ports of entry, and space travel. Its purpose is to provide a data-driven ‘snapshot’ that assists in the planning efforts for the region.
The Mayor will also provide a report on RGV Days at the Capital, as well as the upcoming City of Edinburg State of the City Address.
The Edinburg City Council will meet for its first monthly meeting for March, at 6 pm on Tuesday, the City Council Chambers at Edinburg City Hall at 415 W. University Drive.