Campus & Community

Thursday Morning Roundtable Sessions on Policing in Syracuse Attract Large Audiences

Monday, March 18, 2019, By Joyce LaLonde

The University’s Thursday Morning Roundtable (TMR) series hosted Syracuse Chief of Police Kenton Buckner, in collaboration with FOCUS Greater Syracuse, in February and the Citizen Review Board (CRB) in March. Chief Buckner drew a standing-room only crowd of more than 80 community members, and another large turnout of over 60 community members attended the CRB roundtable.

TMR is a weekly civic education program whose speakers discuss current topics and issues important to the Central New York community. Recordings of each TMR conversation air on WCNY-FM Sundays at 8 p.m.

At the Feb. 7 TMR, attendees heard from the newly appointed chief about his plans and vision for the Syracuse Police Department (SPD). Notably, Buckner talked about encouraging, but not pushing for, Syracuse residency of SPD personnel. He also discussed proactive/community policing. The recording of the discussion is available on the WCNY website.

As a follow-up, Peter McCarthy, board chair of the Citizen Review Board, and Ranette Releford, CRB administrator, presented on the board and its future. They discussed the CRB’s eagerness to work with Buckner to establish the best police force for Syracuse and the board’s role in mediation during cases. The Citizen Review Board recording is available on the WCNY website.

Both TMR sessions left ample time for questions. Before and after the program, community members enjoyed coffee and networked with one another.

“Continuing Syracuse University’s partnership with FOCUS Greater Syracuse was exciting after a successful fall series on economic development,” says Emily Winiecki, community engagement coordinator for the Office of Community Engagement. “With the arrival of Chief Buckner, we were eager to have him address TMR, as well as hear from the Citizen Review Board, on how they will both work in their capacities to make Syracuse a safe city for all. We strive to increase access to community engagement opportunities through TMR and our partnership with FOCUS Greater Syracuse.”

Two more programs remain in the March schedule. Onondaga County Sheriff Gene Conway will discuss the negative impacts of legalized marijuana on March 21, and Syracuse Stage Managing Director Jill Anderson and Artistic Director Bob Hupp will talk about the 2019-20 Syracuse Stage season.

For up-to-date information on the TMR schedule, visit the Syracuse University News website and the TMR Facebook page.

Meetings are held every Thursday morning from 8 to 9 a.m. on the fourth floor of the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St., Syracuse. TMR is free and open to the public. Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) is available every week.