By Howard Packowitz

An ordinance proclaiming Bloomington as a “welcoming city” might include more than just a statement promoting the city’s diversity.

Mayor Tari Renner expects city staffers to explore ways to strengthen bonds between citizens and police, perhaps by revamping the citys community and minority relations boards.

“So we could reduce misunderstandings, and frankly if we could go more to community policing, that people who are walking the beat know the community, they know who’s supposed to be there, who’s not supposed to be there,” said the mayor.

Renner won the applause of hundreds of protesters who marched to city hall Monday night, but the mayor ruled out the idea that Bloomington will set the bar higher and become a sanctuary city.

Such a move, the mayor said, would violate collective bargaining agreements with police.

However, Renner said it’s the city’s policy for police not to check immigration records of people when they receive a traffic ticket or are charged with some other minor offense.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]