Local News in Brief : Racism Charges Leveled

Accusing Pomona Mayor Donna Smith and police of “acts of racism,” the president of the Pomona Valley branch of the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People has called for a citizens oversight committee to investigate complaints against police.

In a presentation to the City Council, NAACP chapter President Harold Webb cited the recent shooting of a black suspect and four instances in which, he said, police had used excessive force or abusive language against blacks who were not charged with crimes. Police are investigating the incidents.

Webb chastised Smith for an Aug. 15 incident in which she brandished a shotgun at a black 18-year-old college student who was standing next to his car after parking in front of the mayor’s house. Smith, who said she believed that the student was a drug dealer, apologized to the student at the council meeting and endorsed creation of the citizens oversight committee.