BY ADAM ATKINSON
North Country This Week

The village boards for both Canton and Potsdam have approved resolutions voicing support for the Black Lives Matter movement and the police departments of both municipalities are working to adopt policies to meet law enforcement reform initiatives mandated by the state in the wake of civil unrest sparked by the death of George Floyd.

Both boards convened for their regular meetings Monday, June 15 where they unanimously passed the measures.

The village board in Canton each expressed their feelings on the measure passed there.

"This resolution was a collaborative effort by the entire board as it was put together. We listened to each other as we discussed our concerns, and In the end, that is exactly what we are looking for in our community," said Canton Village Mayor Mike Dalton.

"This resolution is an acknowledgment of the realities of the racism that people of color experience and a commitment to working for change. I know that the residents of Canton want our community to be welcoming and inclusive to all and I'm looking forward to ongoing dialogue and collaboration toward that goal," said Canton Trustee Anna Sorensen.

"I see this resolution as the start of a conversation, the opening of a process that will lead us to a better place," Canton Trustee Klaus Proemm said. "We are lucky to have a great home base like Canton to start with. I'm optimistic about this."

Trustee Beth Bullock Larrabee said "I hope this resolution is seen as an invitation to our community to engage in open and honest dialogue that allows all voices to be heard."

"As an all-white board in a predominantly white community, this resolution expresses our shared commitment to doing the hard work of facing the realities of individual and systemic racism in our community - and to working together to put an end to it," said Canton Trustee Carol Pynchon. "I am deeply sorry it is necessary, but pleased to have taken this step."

In Potsdam, Village Mayor Ron Tischler told North Country This Week that he and the board were in full support of the movement.

Tischler had marched with Potsdam Police Chief Mark Murray in a Black Lives Matter march and rally held in Potsdam last month. He said the marches were all peaceful with singing and chanting, and were not representative of instances of civil unrest reported in more urban areas. "We told (organizers of the marches) that it's all about us as a group. Some folks were like 'Wow, okay!'" Tischler said, when village officials participated in the demonstration.

Tischler said it's hard to compare a small, unified police department like Potsdam's to downstate or urban departments. However he said Chief Mark Murray, an instructor at the police training program at SUNY Potsdam, is implementing measures to meet the state's police reform initiatives. The mayor said a system review committee is being formed to include a diverse group of local residents to discuss the state policy which police forces across New York have to adopt by April 1, 2021 or lose state law enforcement funding.

Some steps have been taken already including ordering two more body cameras, bringing the total to 6 to be shared among the 12 uniformed officers over the course of three shifts. The cameras run about $1,200 each, Tischler said.

In Canton, Village Police Chief Jim Santimaw pointed out the board meeting on June 15 that Canton was recently reaccredited by the state, the only municipal department in St. Lawrence County that is (SUNY Potsdam security and the county sheriff's department is as well).

The department has been accredited since 1993, and has passed state standards for the accreditation 6 times.

"That's going to give us a big leg up, because we've already had our policies poured over by New York State. They send representatives up here. They spend three days (looking at our policies)," Santimaw said.

The chief said the department's 109 policies are reviewed by state representatives, including use of force. "They want to know that we are doing everything to their standards."

The Canton chief told the board that one thing he has learned through the accreditation process is that there are always ways to improve and things that can be adjusted to better meet the evolving state standards.

Santimaw said the department's use of force policy is currently posted on the department website. He also said that Canton officers are all currently prohibited from conducting any restraints that impact the carotid artery. "We're not touching the neck," said Santimaw.

The chief added that the department has been part of a number of small protests over the years. "Our policy has always been to be helpful," Santimaw said. "And help anybody be safe on any side of the issue."

Santimaw said Canton PD officers have all had implicit bias training for many years, and a refresher course was planned for the week after the meeting. In addition, Canton officers receive "verbal judo" training which are non-violent de-escalation techniques.

Don't Miss A Story!

Stay informed with what's going on in St. Lawrence County

Keep up with local government & schools, police & fire news, help wanted ads, upcoming events, obituaries, valuable shopping info, letters from viewers, news of your friends & neighbors, & much more!

Your subscription helps pay our hard-working news staff who keep St. Lawrence County informed

Subscribe today for as low as $1.44 per week