HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-05-06-LHRC-min Town of Lexington, Human Rights Committee Meeting
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Virtual
9:OOa.m.-10:25a.m
Present:
Committee Members: Monami D. Roy [MDR] (Chair), Tanya Gisolfi [TG] (Vice Chair),Fuang
Ying Huang [FH]], Cleveland Coats [CC], Melissa Interess [MI] (Town Manager's Office
Member/Human Services Department), James E. Barry Jr. [JB] (Police Department)
Meeting called to order at 9:00 AM, Quorum was present at 9:00 AM
1. Welcome
2. Minutes — TG - Moved to approve April 8, 2021, minutes with amendment
to remove QPR age limit sentence; MI — Second; Passed
3. Vote for Clerk— MDR nominated Stephanie Hsu as clerk; TG— Second;
Passed
4. Update on Mental Health and AAPI Heritage Month events for May. The
Mental Health Proclamation passed in town meeting for every year. Human
Services hosted a spotlight event with Mike Veny and three QPR
workshops led by Tony Serio. The Mental Health questionnaire is live
through the end of May. For more information about other Mental Health
Awareness Month activities visit www.lexingtonma.go/mentalhealth.
The Select Board passed AAPI Proclamation to make May AAPI Month.
The LHRC is co-sponsoring 2 AAPI events: My American Story, May 20,
2021, and Proud To Be American Celebration Night—May 27, 2021.
5. Race Amity Day— SH reported that the art show submission requests have
been advertised and we have a website for the event
(lexraceamity.wixsite.com/lexraceamityday). MDR reported that the
committee is still working on the panelist list for the Conversation on
Intersectionality.
6. Police Workgroup Presentation - Robin Walker, co-chair of the workgroup,
presented their findings. Workgroup asked questions about their next steps
and whether LHRC will need a new workgroup to continue the work next
year and whether we continue to collaborate with the LPD to improve data
collection and reporting. The committee asked whether the workgroup
should collaborate with other efforts in Town to update LPD policies and
practices to comply with new MA law and regulations.
Questions from committee included whether the report included data on
promotions. MDR noted that the racial composition of the senior staff are
exclusively White and male; there are no specifics provided on community
outreach or targeted demographics. Det. Hankins, Det. Evelyn, and Chief
Corr were very active in community outreach and went to multiple cultural
groups and personally reached out to marginalized groups.
Public Comment included discussion around data collection and whether
the Town system needs to be upgraded. Workgroup stated that our software
is "top-of the-line" and that the issues may be about how the data is
collected. Questions also raised around how demographic data is collected
around stops and citations. LPD liaison noted that demographics listed are
based on an officers' best assessment. This is in part to observe the officers'
perspective. There are additional modules of data collection being
developed for LPD.
7. Member Reports and Updates
• CC—Attended Community Conversation on Public Safety and other
community meetings.
• MI &TG—Attended SB meeting where Carmen Ortiz gave her report -
Anderson Kreiger Review of Lexington Police Department Policies and
Practices
• TG— Reported update regarding Hiring of Town Equity Officer—We are
working on questions with the Advisory Board to present to candidates;
TAB — several going on, June 5 is full— goal is to have 2-3 in the fall.
8. Unexpected Items Not Reasonably Anticipated in Advance
9. Public Comments For Items Not on the Agenda— Community member
(Bob Pressman) offered his thoughts on the policing report and his
research. MDR will follow up with Mr. Pressman.
10.Confirm Next Meeting Date and Time — May 10, 2021 at 9 am
MI - Moved to adjourn; TG— seconded; Passed
Documents
• Chair Report
• HRC Police Working Group Status Update & Recommendations