The past few weeks have been a painful reminder that there is still much work to be done in our nation’s strife for equal justice under the law following the indefensible murder of George Floyd. Watching the video is beyond difficult; along with comprehending the fact other officers stood by and did nothing. Addressing the broader problem this tragedy stems from will require action. It is important during times like these to listen to others – especially those with perspective and experiences different from your own. I anticipate continuing to do exactly that moving forward, and am encouraged by the dialogue I have had already with Sheriff Adams, local police, and countless other citizens here in Cecil County. Further teaching of deescalation techniques, further training of police, and more transparency and accountability from government and local law enforcement will all be part of moving forward. I am confident we can not only listen, but upon identifying problems, bring about positive solutions.