13 Sep ‘Pedie’ Perez May Soon Have Richmond Street Named for Him

(Screenshot captured by Samantha Kennedy / The CC Pulse)

By Samantha Kennedy

The Richmond City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to move forward with a proposal to rename a street in honor of Richard “Pedie” Perez III, who was killed 10 years ago by police. 

The renaming “would serve as a reminder of the sanctity of life,” according to the agenda report from council member Soheila Bana, who brought the item forward, “and the need to strive towards change that fosters a relationship of trust and respect between its law enforcement and the community they serve.”

A section of Spring Street where a Perez family business is located, south of Cutting Boulevard, would be renamed to Pedie Perez Avenue if approved at a later public hearing. 

>>>Read: Artwork Honors Pedie Perez Outside Richmond Store Where He Was Killed<<<

Bana recognized the work of Perez’s family in creating change at the local and state levels. 

“Hopefully this will be the last killing by police in the city of Richmond,” she said. “The family who lost their only child managed to put their sorrow and channel it into activism.” 

Among the changes their advocacy has pushed for are giving the Community Police Review Commission in Richmond more investigative power and state law SB 1421, which allows the release of police office use-of-force incident records. 

>>>From Our Archives: Questions Remain After Richmond Officers Cleared in 2020 In-Custody Death<<<

Council member Gayle McLaughlin shared Bana’s appreciation of the Perez family. 

“It’s not easy to have to relive a story of the loss of your loved one over and over again, but it’s important,” said McLaughlin, “and now renaming this street is going to be a way of keeping the name Pedie Perez as it should be — front and center for our community.”

A public hearing will be held at the Sept. 24 meeting on the proposed street name change. 

Council Tries to Keep City Politics From Being a Family Affair

Council members approved a nepotism ordinance that prohibits immediate family members of council members, department heads and the city manager from sitting on boards, commissions, committees and task forces. 

The ordinance, which passed in a 6-0 vote with council member Doria Robinson recusing herself, will go into effect 30 days after its adoption. Relatives who currently sit on commissions or boards are allowed to serve out their current term but are unable to be reappointed. 

The ordinance is meant to “include wider participation on City bodies, and limit undue influences or the appearance of influence by the elected City official over the board member, commissioner, or task force member.” 

Those restricted from appointments to boards, committees and other bodies include parents, spouses, children and in-laws. 

In addition, the ordinance prevents the appointment of business associates. The ordinance defines business associates as: “Any person who receives income, whether from investments or as compensation from the same entity, whether it be a commercial or non-profit entity, as a currently seated City Council Member, City Manager, or City Department Head.”

The next Richmond City Council meeting is Sept. 24.