Horsham Council Condemns Racial Violence, Discrimination

HORSHAM, PA — Horsham's township council has approved a statement condemning racial violence and discrimination and urging police to be mindful of the concerns of communities of color.

The statement, which was approved unanimously by council members, was shared Tuesday on the township's social media accounts.

"Acts of racial violence and discrimination, such as those that have received recent national and international attention, not only damage the victims of those attacks," the statement reads. "They damage the community as a whole.

"No law-abiding member of our society should feel fearful when interacting with law enforcement or any other government officer. Discrimination and bias, even through subtle acts, work against our efforts to build and maintain a safe and inclusive community."

The statement applauds citizens who have "organized peaceful protests and who work in the community to raise awareness of the existence of systemic and implicit bias." It also says the council works to ensure a high standard of excellence from the Horsham Township Police Department.

Council members "encourage our officers and leadership to protect and serve all residents equitably and justly," the statement says.

It cites the department's compliance with the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission standards, which include policies restricting the use of force.

"We resolve, as community leaders, to work to ensure the welfare of all residents, to remain vigilant in examining our own hearts and minds, to listen to our residents and to oversee the actions of the township in order to protect against acts of bigotry and racism, whether overt or implicit," it says. "We strive, and will continue to strive, for a community in which all people feel included and valued."