The People Are Speaking: Community Voices Demand Accountability After March 2

Intro:
As the city continues to reel from the March 2nd police assault on two Latino teenagers, the public’s outrage has been both vocal and powerful. In the face of delayed transparency and unanswered questions, members of the Lancaster community are stepping forward with clarity, urgency, and courage. We went to City Hall not just to witness — but to listen. The following statement, delivered by Duncan Hopkins of Lancaster Stands Up, reflects the deep pain and righteous demand for justice that is echoing through neighborhoods across the city. This is more than public comment. It is part of the historical record of our time.

Lancaster City Council Comments
Duncan Hopkins – April 8, 2025

Why are we spending our time characterizing these kids who were assaulted by officers as violent? They were riding their bikes without lights, which is a civil offense and not a criminal one. In Police Chief Mendez’s presentation last week, and in some comments from some folks here tonight, we’ve been treating these kids like criminals.

Traffic safety is important. Ten years ago I was biking to work when I was hit by a car half a block from here and I was very lucky to not be seriously injured. By the way, that was in broad daylight and I had lights on my bike. I certainly understand the need for safety. Every person in this room does. But that’s not what we should be focused on. What we need to focus on tonight is that when the police enforce the laws on the books, they need to do so in an appropriate manner. What took place on March 2nd was a clear-as-day example of police brutality.

I dare anyone to watch that video in full, listening to the screams of those kids who were afraid that it was their turn to die at the hands of a cop for being Latino. That encounter was unacceptable and the consequence for riding bikes without lights should not be being pinned to the ground by an officer with a history of misconduct.

Last week, Chief Mendez stood up here to give a presentation on police use of force and while I have many thoughts, two things stood out to me:

First, the Chief spent a long time talking about how use of force reports are reviewed and no time at all on whether and how discipline would be passed on to the offending officer. He only said that it may be possible for an officer to face discipline. This is an unacceptable omission and one that must be addressed by City officials.

Second, every single member of the City Council had the opportunity to ask the Chief questions. Some councilors used that opportunity to ask about increased transparency, oversight, and a different use of force policy for minors. However, other councilors declined to use this rare opportunity to ask tough questions in a public forum. Asking questions the community has been demanding answers to is a responsibility, and to shirk that responsibility is insulting to all of us.

I’m tired of the back and forth. I’m tired of excuses, and I wish this body would spend their time trying to find solutions instead of just waiting for the storm to blow over.

You all have difficult jobs, I get that. But you signed up for it and you signed up to represent your community. We have a real opportunity to change our city for the better and it is disheartening to see my city government prioritizing quiet over justice.

Chief Mendez has said multiple times that the community needs to come to the table. Well, we’re here. We’ve been here. It’s time for this Council, Mayor Sorace, and Chief Mendez to listen.

— Duncan Hopkins, Lancaster Stands Up

Bio:

Duncan Hopkins was born and raised in Lancaster City and currently resides in the City’s northeast. Graduating from J.P. McCaskey in 2015, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Dickinson College. He is a current organizer with Lancaster Stands Up and has prior electoral experience working on the Jess King (2018), Hobie Crystle (2019), and Bernie Sanders (2020) campaigns. Duncan has been organizing for social and economic justice in multiple capacities since 2017 and is currently engaged in fights with local governments in Lancaster County to decriminalize homelessness and hold police officers and departments accountable for misconduct.