by Earnest Winston

CINCINNATI (FinalCall.com)�A race commission, changes in how the police chief is selected and a zero tolerance policy against inappropriate police violence are among the solutions outlined by Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken to help heal this city rocked by racial violence and riots after police fatally shot an unarmed Black man.

Still those measures are not as important as the decision a grand jury makes on what happened when Officer Steve Roach fatally shot Timothy Thomas, a 19-year-old Black youth on April 7. The grand jury could hear the evidence the week of April 23. Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike Allen said, �The Cincinnati Police Division is investigating the (Thomas) shooting. We�ll be presenting to the grand jury soon.

Mayor Luken also plans to soon announce chairpersons of the race commission, which will include religious, education, business and community leaders. "Unlike some past commissions, they will be empowered to oversee implementation of their plans," he said.

�We have been a community in crisis," Mayor Luken said during a April 16 news conference, flanked by a broad cross-section of Cincinnati�s most prominent leaders. �We need solutions that create a more effective police force and that bring greater respect for our offices. We need solutions that address the root causes of long-standing racial and economic problems that elevate our entire community."

Cincinnati officials were also expected to discuss a possible settlement in the racial profiling lawsuit against the city by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Cincinnati Black United Front.

Many Blacks said the city and police division failed to react to allegations of police misconduct until protests following the Thomas death turned violent, threatening downtown businesses and the city�s image. Officer Roach shot and killed Mr. Thomas, wanted on misdemeanor warrants--mainly traffic violations--after he allegedly ran from police. Officer Roach has said he thought the teenager had a gun.

Ross Love, president of Blue Chip Broadcasting, applauds the mayor�s solutions to heal Cincinnati, which is 43 percent Black. But there is more work that needs to be done.

�We need to start immediately to repair the businesses in the African American community that were damaged (during the riots), and we need to employ African Americans in doing this," Mr. Love said.

�We need to ensure the justice system distinguishes treatment of those who were exercising their legitimate right to civil disobedience from those who were looting and vandalizing property. There needs to be action on this right away. We immediately need to look at the major development work underway on the riverfront to determine how to create greater inclusion of both African American workers and businesses. There is a real opportunity here."

Hamilton County and city officials announced plans the week of April 16 to offer a combined $2.5 million in loans and grants for businesses that suffered losses in the riots.

The opportunity the city has to improve race relations must include the voices of youths, said Rev. Damon Lynch III, pastor of New Friendship Baptist Church. Young people expressed the need for more education, political activism and role models during a youth forum held at his church following the riots.

�At some point, we ought to learn that if we don�t listen (to our youths), their own culture and movement will rise up," Rev. Lynch said. �What I saw (during the protests) and what young people need to realize is that they, knowingly or not, engaged themselves in the political process. They engaged themselves in the process of fighting for our freedom, and they need to continue that."

Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating the Thomas shooting and six Cincinnati officers and one state trooper who reportedly fired their beanbag shotguns on peaceful protesters--four people were struck-- after the funeral for Mr. Thomas, U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman Cristine Romano said. Cincinnati police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol also are investigating.

Mr. Romano said the civil rights division of the Justice Department is also investigating the patterns and practice of Cincinnati police for possible civil rights violations. The federal agency is investigating at least 12 other law enforcement agencies nationwide to determine if they committed civil rights violations. In four separate cases, settlements have been reached between police and the Justice Department.

Five Cincinnatians April 19 filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court, claiming police violated their civil rights by attacking them between April 10 and April 14 without provocation during the protests. The suit seeks unspecified damages.