Syracuse Community Review Board (CRB) Meeting – January 6, 2026

The Syracuse CRB held its regular monthly meeting on January 6, 2026, with six board members present, establishing quorum. The board approved the minutes from December 2025, heard an administrator's report detailing December activities, discussed ongoing vacancies, and planned future engagements. Public comment encouraged data tracking and outreach to the new public safety chair. The meeting concluded with a decision to attempt an executive session despite the absence of legal counsel.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously approved the minutes from the December 2025 meeting (motion by Chair, seconded by Peggy).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barry (community member): Missed December meeting due to a grant deadline. Inquired about board case investigation training and other anticipated board training. Suggested tracking the number of calls and emails month-to-month separately from events to demonstrate the CRB's return on investment, given past attacks on the CRB. Urged developing a relationship with the new public safety chair and educating them about the CRB's benefits and limitations. Also offered to assist with community presentations on interactions with police, a program he helped the CRB develop previously.

Discussion Items

• Staff Update: The investigator position remains vacant after the previous candidate declined; the chair is exploring alternatives.
• Administrator Report (Adonia):
  • December activities included a quarterly safety meeting with the council, the Manion Senior Fair, and a collaboration with West Calvin Post Office ($300 donation, serving 15 families with Christmas baskets).
  • Community engagement: Networking event at Harvey's Garden with Senator Rachel May; represented CRB at On-Point Career Slam; invited back to present at the Center for Community Alternatives.
  • Data analysis: Chris improved case tracking by location and officer, organized historical data from 2012 to present, and created maps (to be shared at the next meeting).
  • Case progress: 35 new cases, 52 letters of correspondence (6 closing letters, 11 new complaint letters), 21 cases completed in December. Backlog from 2024 is on track to be cleared by February.
  • Staffing: Don Johnson continues training and cross-training; Julie handles correspondence and intakes.
• Old Business (Board Member Mike):
  • Next CRB meeting in February will be held at the North Side Learning Center (constituency of a board member).
  • Need to schedule a second educational training (first was incomplete); proposed February or early March on a Saturday.
  • Committee formation: Drafting committees, to be sent to members within two weeks, with each committee to select a chair and secretary.
  • Police Relations Committee (Mike, Linda, Elise) has its first quarterly meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, January 13, 1:30 PM, with the new police chief. They plan to meet beforehand at noon to discuss cases.
• Legal Counsel Absence: The board discussed the need for legal counsel during executive session. The chair initially stated they cannot go into executive session without counsel. Member Mike suggested proceeding and seeking forgiveness. The administrator noted they lack a room key (usually opened by counsel). They decided to try to find a security guard with a key to access a room.

Key Outcomes

• December 2025 minutes approved.
• Backlog deadline reaffirmed: All 2024 cases to be completed by February 2026.
• Next meeting location: February 2026 meeting set for North Side Learning Center.
• Police Relations Committee meeting: Scheduled for January 13, 2026, 1:30 PM, with pre-meeting at noon.
• Committees to be formed: Chair will draft committee assignments within two weeks.
• Executive session: A motion was made to enter executive session (no vote recorded in transcript); the board attempted to find a room to proceed despite missing legal counsel.