Statement from the Collective
Black Voter Outreach Network of PA | Lancaster Bail Fund | Lancaster Stands Up | Party for Socialism and Liberation | Democratic Socialists of America
April 17, 2025
We recognize that the City of Lancaster has finally published the demographic breakdown of police use of force data. That transparency matters — and it’s something we’ve demanded, loudly and consistently. This is a small victory and achievement as our demand was met, the public deserves to see who is being policed, how often, and with what level of force.
But while the data is now available, the trust is not.
1. Do What You Say You’re Going to Do
The Mayor and city officials publicly promised that this data would be restored and available by the end of last week. That didn’t happen. The data wasn’t published until Tuesday, April 15, with no notice or explanation for the delay. In matters of public accountability, timing matters. Delays and broken timelines erode trust — especially when trust is already fragile.
2. Explain the Changes
There have been clear changes to the numbers, but no explanation has been provided. The Mayor committed to ensuring that changes to use of force data would be made transparently and clearly annotated on the site going forward. That commitment has not been honored. There is no breakdown of how or why the figures were altered — and no acknowledgment of the shift.
3. Make the Data Make Sense
Yes, we now have access to the racial and gender breakdowns. But the report itself is confusing, contradictory, and incomplete. The numbers tell different stories depending on how they’re read. Terms like “non-physical use of force” aren’t clearly defined. Only 26 individuals are reported by gender or race, yet 120 incidents are listed. That discrepancy is not explained.
Transparency isn’t just about uploading a graph. It’s about clarity. It’s about trust. And it’s about honoring your word.
This should’ve been a positive moment — a clean step forward. But instead, it’s a shaky start. The city has to understand that communities don’t just need information. We need accountability, timeliness, and honesty.
We are watching. We are tracking. And we expect more.
— The Collective
Editor Note
(The Collective is a grassroots collaborative effort that has been actively organizing across Lancaster City, mobilizing the community, and demanding transparency from Lancaster City’s elected officials. In recent weeks, we’ve led efforts to hold the city accountable for its handling of the March 2nd incident involving several Latino teenagers. We have talked with the City about its police use of force data, challenged weak leadership, and uplifted bold community voices through our statements. The Collective continues to fight for racial justice and real accountability in government. As the 2025 primaries approach, we’re expanding our base, building coalitions, and setting the narrative. This statement reflects our ongoing commitment to truth, transparency, and a future rooted in collective power. This is our second blog entry, the first one posted on the Black Voter Outreach Network of PA’s website. Check out our first blog post here:
