As a member of Showing Up for Racial Justice, NorthEast Ohio chapter (SURJ NEO), I call on Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne, County Council and the county sheriff to take direct and immediate actions to address the wrongs to our community regarding the two innocent lives lost in high-speed chases by the same deputy sheriff in just five months.
The fact that Deputy Kasey Loudermilk was determined to have lied during his employment application, then temporarily suspended following the second lethal chase, provides proof he is a danger to our community and that the County Sheriff’s Department’s hiring process is weak and ineffective in screening out dangerous officers.
What is needed:
- An independent investigation into these tragedies.
- Disbanding of the Downtown Safety Patrol, with the county funds reallocated to real community safety measures.
- Answers as to why this officer was apparently not disciplined after the first lethal high-speed chase.
- The firing of Deputy Loudermilk.
- Improved hiring practices and better vetting of candidates by the Sheriff’s Department.
- Prioritizing the life of citizens during high-speed chases.
- More community accountability within the Sheriff’s Department and by County Executive Ronayne.
Jennifer Blakeney,…