2021-06-10-LHRC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Town of Lexington, Human Rights Committee Meeting Thursday, June 10, 2021 Virtual 9:00a.m.-10:15a.m Present Members: Monami D. Roy [MDR] (Chair), Tanya Gisolfi [TG] (Vice Chair),Stephanie Hsu [SH] (Clerk), Melissa Interess [MI] (Town Manager's Office Member/Human Services Department),James E. Barry [JB] (Police Department), Scott Bokun [SB] (School Committee Member), Fuang-Ying Huang [FH] Absent: Georgia Swann [GS], Cleveland Coates [CC] Meeting called to order at 9:03 AM, Quorum was present at 9:03 AM 1. Welcome 2. Minutes — SB moved to accept May 6, and May 13 minutes to write in public comments where applicable; MI Second; Passed 3. Presentation by Mr. Pressman on data relating to police stops (see documents list). Committee members commented they are glad the Select Board are getting involved. Committee would like to learn more about the tests police officers have to take and how it affects hiring diversity. It would be good to have follow-up around town residency demographics and to do a deeper dive into diversity in staffing throughout our departments (i.e. schools and committees), this is something to consider for future work groups and we need to think about if we need another work group looking at policing next year. Public comments included the questions around what Mr. Pressman would like to see happen in town around policing. Mr. Pressman encourage a deeper examination of the citation's issued and the demographics of those that receive them. He also encouraged the town to look at the systems in place and whether we can update them to capture this data. There are suggestions made in the NY study cited in the report about citation systems. 4. Race Amity Day— The virtual Program featuring interviews, art and music is June 13, 1-2pm; Art Exhibition - June 19 —July 3; Artists Opening - June 19, l0am- 12pm. 5. Pride Month Activities (co-sponsored by LHRC) —Visit L .P .. website for more information. 6. Training Active Bystander Report Out and Next Steps (TG) — We have had 6 TABs this year. Thank you to Human Services and the Town Manager for sponsoring some several of them. We will have to look at how to proceed with TAB moving forward and whether having attendees pay will encourage them to attend.