Camarillo City Council debates racial equality resolution, plans police funding discussion

Jeremy Childs
Ventura County Star

Camarillo elected officials passed a resolution committing to racial equality without explicitly saying "Black lives matter" after an hours-long discussion on racism at the latest City Council meeting.

The discussion emerged Wednesday night as part of a debate between two resolutions drafted by City Council members. Vice Mayor Susan Santangelo co-wrote the first resolution with Councilman Shawn Mulchay in which they declare "the City Council recognizes, as a moral fact, that Black lives matter."

Santangelo explained the importance of the phrase "Black lives matter" stems from the specific discrimination faced by Black people in the United States, including residents of Camarillo. 

"I want it because Black people who live in Camarillo want it stated. They want to hear the leaders of their community say that their lives matter," Santangelo said. 

Camarillo Vice Mayor Susan Santangelo

Santangelo also mentioned receiving hundreds of emails supporting her resolution as well as endorsements from several social justice organizations.

Mayor Tony Trembley drafted the alternative resolution, which aimed to condemn racism without specifically referencing the phrase "Black lives matter."

"There exists a difference between a statement that Black lives matter versus an endorsement of a platform with many objectives sponsored by the group, movement, organization with the same name," Trembley said.

Dozens of members of the public addressed the council during their discussion. Most speakers were against the use of "Black lives matter" due to its association with recent protests about defunding the police, although a fair number felt the language was necessary in order for the resolution to have significance.

Deborah Baber, the wife of a retired LAPD officer, said the resolution was not needed because Camarillo had no history of police brutality or racial inequity.

"As the saying goes, 'Why fix that which is not broken?'" she said.

Damon Jenkins, a Black criminal defense attorney, said he has witnessed discrimination firsthand within the courtroom and in daily life. 

"Black people are systematically mistreated and marginalized, and the proclamation should recognize that," Jenkins said.

Camarillo Councilwoman Charlotte Craven

Several speakers criticized Councilwoman Charlotte Craven for her controversial statements in an email after the June 24 council meeting. Craven had used the word "barrio" to describe the people who contacted city leaders about defunding the police. Craven apologized for the incident during the meeting.

"I did not mean it in a derogatory way, I did not mean to offend anybody and I will not use the term again," Craven said.

Ultimately, Santangelo's resolution failed to pass in a 2-3 vote, with Councilman Kevin Kildee, Craven, and Trembley voting against it. Trembley's resolution, on the other hand, passed in a 4-1 vote with Santangelo casting the only dissenting vote. Mulchay voiced his unhappiness with the first vote coming up short, criticizing the second measure as not being specific enough.

"The only reason I will support the resolution is because in my mind it's better than nothing, but I do so begrudgingly," he said.

The discussion concluded with plans to have the Ventura County Sheriff's Office go over the police services contract with city leaders and the public. The presentation is currently planned to take place by the end of July with Camarillo Police Chief Eric Tennessen leading it, although a specific date and time have not been finalized.

The presentation will discuss a variety of topics related to the Camarillo Police Department, including recruitment, hiring and training; force tactics, use of force and de-escalation; discrimination and bias-based policing; and reporting, accountability and the complaint process.

It will also give a general overview of the agency's operations, such as police services offered and minimum staffing levels currently outlined in the contract agreement with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. 

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com. You can also find him on Twitter @Jeremy_Childs.