Ferguson commission calls for sweeping changes to deal with racial inequity

A commission appointed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon in the aftermath of last year’s unrest in Ferguson, Mo., is calling for a series of sweeping steps to attack the issue of racial inequity in the St. Louis region.

The nearly 200-page report released Monday lays out 47 priorities for the region to tackle and dozens of policy recommendations. Among the recommendations made by the commission are establishing a publicly available statewide use-of-force database to track police shootings, consolidating the St. Louis area’s many police departments and municipal courts and increasing the region’s minimum wage.

The Ferguson commission was established by Nixon in November as anger and protests grew in the months after Michael Brown, 18, was fatally shot by white police officer Darren Wilson. A St. Louis County grand jury declined to indict Wilson and the Justice Department closed its investigation without filing criminal charges against the officer.

But the incident, which garnered international attention, put the focus on the long festering problem of racial inequity in St. Louis, where black residents have complained they have been disproportionately targeted by police and municipalities looking to raise revenue to keep their cities afloat.

The 16-member commission said it set out to be “unflinching” in assessing St. Louis’ problems and coming up with an outline of solutions.

"We present this report with the realization and understanding it reveals uncomfortable truths about this region we all call home," said Rich McClure, a commission co-chairman.

The commission, which was made up of law enforcement officials, activists, business leaders, educators and the clergy, offers some bleak realities about racial disparities in St. Louis and Missouri.

Life expectancy differs by nearly 40 years depending on Zip code. In mostly white, suburban Wildwood, the life expectancy is 91.4 years. In the mostly black, inner-ring suburb of Kinloch, Mo., life expectancy is just 55.9 years. Black motorists are 75% more likely to be pulled over by a police during a traffic stop than white motorists. And more than 14% of black elementary school students were suspended last year, compared to 1.3% of their white peers.

“The law says all citizens are equal,” the commission writes. “But the data says not everyone is treated that way.”

First Ferguson Commission meeting marred by outbursts

While the commission offers 189 policy recommendations, it doesn’t try to dive into implementation, noting that legislation, funding and further public debate will be needed to make many of the changes the panel suggests. The commission said it was charged by the governor with identifying needed changes and "serve as a springboard" to spurring changes.

Starsky Wilson, the other co-chairman of the commission, said it was now up to the community to hold civic leaders and politicians accountable to make changes.

"Those who ask for our votes and will come knocking between now and next November should account for how they align with the community's stated agenda," Wilson said.

Nixon told commission members at event in St. Louis on Monday that their recommendations would not collect dust on a shelf.

"I commit to you today that these efforts will not be in vain," Nixon said.

Follow USA TODAY Chicago correspondent Aamer Madhani on Twitter: @AamerISmad