The following is my apology to those offended by my comment regarding College Hill in the last debate. I wanted to wait until the next public opportunity, which would be the 10/24 debate; it wouldn't have been appropriate to bring up a campaign item in last Monday night's council meeting. But it's evident that a public response is needed before then, so I'm giving it here on my website.
What happened...
In the October 10th debate at UNI, I made an insensitive comment regarding safety on College Hill, and I apologize for my remark which implied that College Hill was unsafe.
We were asked by the moderators to respond to recent sporadic violence on College Hill, and how we would address it. In my allotted one minute, I gave this response:
"One of the most interesting things for my on council that I've experienced is doing ridealongs with the police department, and I'll tell you College Hill after 10pm is nothing like College Hill in the daytime and that unless I was in a squad car, I probably wouldn't be out experiencing it for myself. I'm very glad we've installed security cameras and surveillance in the College Hill neighborhood area. As I've done foot patrols with the police department, the officers and I go into the bars, and we look at the environment...it's not college students that are causing the issues, so how we react is, I think, going to heavily involve a continued partnership with the Waterloo Police Department for dealing with gang violence. I believe it's not sporadic, it's basically organized, so in order to deal with that problem, we're going to have to come in an organized fashion as well."
10/10 Mayoral Debate, Minute 36:55
My statement about only being out on the Hill in a squad car was inappropriate. I had attempted to add self-deprecating humor to my answer -- that I'm not one for the bar scene, and the only reason for me to be out at that time of night would be with the police. But I instead implied I had reason to be afraid of being on the Hill at night....and I don't. No one should. My comment (rightly) offended those whose livelihoods depend on nighttime activity on College Hill.
Why it matters...
As an elected official, my words and actions inherently influence the words and actions, and perceptions of Cedar Falls residents and visitors -- it comes with the territory of being a public figure. So I have to be really careful in how my remarks may be construed. In my response to the moderator, I should have highlighted how College Hill Partnership, the City of Cedar Falls, and bar owners, and other stakeholders work hard to provide a safe and comfortable environment for nighttime patrons and socializers on College Hill.
What I'll do differently...
Of the six times I've been out on College Hill at night, five of them have been with police ridealongs (the other one was a campaign meet-and-greet at Octopus two years ago). Between 10pm and 2am (including UNI Homecoming weekend), I've observed the law enforcement and intervention aspects of College Hill, rather than the normal socializing aspects. I see now how these experiences have skewed my perspective. In the coming months, I'll seek out opportunities to understand additional perspectives about College Hill, which will help me to have a more well-rounded view of the Hill's successes, challenges, and opportunities -- particularly for its nighttime patrons.
Again, I'm sorry for my insensitive comment and the offense I caused.
I hope that the College Hill Partnership and other affected community members will accept my apology.
I've learned from this mistake and will strive to do better.