Several dozen residents and advocates used the council’s public comment period on Dec. 8 to demand independent, enforceable police oversight in Lakewood, citing the case of Jax (Jax Graton) and broader concerns about treatment of transgender and marginalized residents.

Speakers said they are calling for oversight that can compel records, investigate misconduct independently of the police department and produce meaningful accountability. "Oversight has to be independent. Oversight has to have the ability to get info by subpoenas," Kai Martinez said during the meeting. Brandy Carey, a founding member of Justice for Jax, told the council it has been months since her friend went missing and urged the council to follow through on prior votes by creating oversight with actual power.

Why it matters: Public trust in policing is a municipal governance issue with implications for safety, civil rights and community relations. Speakers tied their requests to both the specific circumstances around Jax’s death and to broader patterns they say require structural remedies, including subpoena power and independence from law enforcement administration.

What residents asked for
- Subpoena authority for an independent oversight body so investigators can access records and compel testimony.
- Structural independence from the police department and clear enforcement mechanisms.
- Expediency: several speakers said the community had been waiting for months for action and asked council to move quickly.

Council response and next steps
The mayor acknowledged the comments and noted that councilors have discussed oversight in prior meetings; staff said there is a study session on oversight scheduled, and the council is expected to consider options in upcoming work sessions. There was no formal vote on policy during this meeting.

Voices from the public
"No person should die the way Jax did. No person should be treated the way Jax has been. Please do not back down," one commenter said. Another speaker, Jamie Frederick, urged the council to ensure independent oversight is "truly independent of the police" and has "actual power and access to information."

What the council can do from here
Options range from drafting a charter or ordinance creating an oversight commission with subpoena authority to narrowing the scope to review panels or expanding investigative resources. Any change in authority will likely require legal review to align with state law and the city charter. For now, speakers and advocacy groups will monitor follow‑up study sessions and staff reports.

Context: prior council action
Council members noted that earlier in the year they had voted to move forward with a study or committee to examine oversight options, and public speakers framed the Dec. 8 comments as urging a shift from study to enforceable action.