Why this city councillor has resigned from Edmonton's police commission

Councillor Anne Stevenson has resigned her position on the Edmonton Police Commission, saying she wants to spend more time focusing on safety in Chinatown. The Ward O'Daymond Councillor had been a commissioner on the Civilian Oversight Body for the Edmonton Police Service for the past five years. Her term was set to expire at the end of 2027. She wasn't present at this week's virtual meeting, and the commission says her resignation took effect on October 21st. I really believe in civilian oversight of policing, and I'm really proud of the work I've been able to do on the commission over the past five years. The main reason she's leaving? She says she wants to spend more time tackling safety challenges in her ward. Back in September, videos surfaced showing correctional vans releasing former detainees into the Chinatown neighbourhood. Community members were outraged. Stevenson says this issue is far from being resolved and she wants to focus on solutions. Since the videos were released, I've had further conversations, more information coming my way. Just about the depth of the challenge, it is so significant. And meanwhile, Mayor Andrew Knack says being a council rep on the commission is a massive undertaking. The amount of time and effort that you put in on top of all of the other work you're supposed to be doing as a councillor is significant and not easy at all. He says city council will soon appoint a replacement. Last month, the commission announced it was temporarily banning public speakers from its meetings because of what it called insulting and abusive discourse. Stevenson says she disagreed with that decision, but that's not why she resigned. There have been times where I've felt really frustrated, but I spend a lot of time reflecting. And I think that when there are those moments of disagreement, that's actually the time to lean in, to stay at the table, to make sure that that perspective is there in the room. In a statement, Chair Ben Henderson says Councillor Stevenson's perspective and commitment to the commission's work will be missed. It leaves Ward O'Daymond Councillor Karen Principe as the lone city councillor on the commission. Madeline Cummings, CBC News, Edmonton.