To complete this assignment:
You must attend at least one (1) virtual city council meeting in your city or a nearby city with virtual meetings that work with your schedule. You are expected to stay for the entire city council meeting. Do this early in the semester because some city council meetings could be canceled at the last minute.
Watch the city council assignment video on Canvas.
You must go to your city’s website to find the meeting schedule and a city council meeting date and time that fits your schedule. Choose a backup meeting date as well (see #1 above).
Watch the city council assignment video on Canvas to see how to do this. Remember that there may be other ways to access the meetings (e.g., YouTube), or the webpage may have been updated and look different from the page in the video. Contact me or the TA if you have questions about accessing a city council meeting.
Before the meeting, you must read the agenda and any special reports related to agenda topics discussed at the meeting you plan to attend. Check the website at the end of the week to see if meeting notes were added to the meeting you attended.
Write an academic paper (See assignment video) using APA format (see the video in the stylistic section below) along with the remaining stylistic requirements.
You must identify and discuss one (or more, if necessary) main topic(s) that could be criminal justice-related discussed that was discussed in the meeting. For example, let’s say the city council meeting you attend discusses a few pedestrian safety issues.
Next, research information related to the issue you chose. For example, “side shows” (street car takeovers) are a pedestrian safety issue and a crime issue because side shows or takeovers are illegal. Next, how do other cities deal with side shows/takeovers based on your research on this issue? Is this issue increasing or decreasing in your city?
Research and discuss a criminal justice-related policy. Research criminal justice policies, programs, and initiatives related to the issue (e.g., zero-tolerance policies, court-ordered training for violators, street redesigns). Discuss any proposed policies the council may discuss. For example, how will the city punish those involved in street takeovers (e.g., increased fines, jail time, license revocation)?
Research the history of this issue. In other words, has this been an ongoing issue with the city council? Or, can you find news articles on how the city council has addressed similar problems?
What impact or consequence could this policy have on your local criminal justice system (e.g., increased budget, more police, jail overcrowding issues)?
Finally, what is your opinion of the meeting? What did you think about how your city council members treat community members during these meetings and vice-versa? Did you find this meeting interesting, concerning, or a waste of time? You do not need references for this section unless you are making a point that needs scholarly support (e.g., “This issue has increased 500% in the last year…”).
