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Town of Lexington, Human Rights Committee Meeting <br /> Thursday, May 13, 2021 <br /> Virtual <br /> 9:00a.m.-10:47a.m <br /> Present: <br /> Committee Members: Monami D. Roy [MDR] (Chair), Tanya Gisolfi [TG] (Vice Chair), <br /> Stephanie Hsu [SH] (Clerk), Fuang-Ping Huang [FH], Cleveland Coats [CC],Melissa Interess <br /> [MI] (Town Manager's Office Member/Human Services Department), James E. Barry Jr. [JB] <br /> (Police Department), Scott Bokun [SB] (School Committee Member) <br /> Meeting called to order at 9:04 AM, Quorum was present at 9:04 AM <br /> 1. Welcome <br /> 2. New Police Station— Doug Lucente (Select Board, Vice Chair), Joe Pato (Select <br /> Board) — The Select Board requested a meeting to listen to community concerns and <br /> feedback regarding the Lexington police department, specifically asking 3 questions: <br /> I)Have you been part of feedback and outreach and what was your experience?; 2) <br /> What has been your experience with the LPD, if any, good or bad?; 3) Do you have <br /> concerns with the current police department operations that might impact how we <br /> build a new station? The Select Board goal is to offer a second round of feedback <br /> opportunities and put together a report on what they have learned and report back to <br /> the entire Select Board. <br /> Committee members feedback included that several members met with Carmen Ortiz. <br /> Committee concerns voiced that the Ortiz report isn't as deep as it could be and that <br /> some voices were heard over others. Committee members noted that retired Chief <br /> Corr deserved and received a lot of positive feedback regarding police community <br /> liaisons and that the liaisons are very appreciated. Mental health training of our <br /> police in another positive aspect sets them apart from other communities. <br /> Members reported there is a larger concern from the community around transparency <br /> and how the police operate in town and community concern that there may be an <br /> element of what supremacy withing the LPD. Committee member noted they have <br /> heard from several black families that they would like their child's first interaction <br /> with the police to be a positive one. More community/police interaction would go a <br /> long way to making citizens feel more comfortable. <br /> Committee member noted they did not see where or if the report addressed how the <br /> police interact with schools, particularly where incidences occur with students. Have <br /> families who have had experiences with the police when they have been called to the <br /> schools because of a mental health breakdown of their child been asked for their input <br />