HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-06-10-LHRC-min 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.
7. AAPI Month Events Report Out and Next Steps (SB) (MDR) — These events were
co-sponsored by LHRC. Comments on how wonderful all the programs were.
Programs by CAAL and CALex were well attended.
8. Updates from Members
Human Services wrapped up Mental Health Awareness Month. For more
information go to Lexington Human Services website. The suicide Gate Keeper
program was well attended. Human Services will run 3 of these programs per
quarter. The Mental Health questionnaire was completed at the end of May and
just under 1000 responses. Committee members acknowledged the work around
mental health. There is an uptake in need among our youth and some key cultural
groups have seen a rise in concerns and don't know how to handle them.
Committee member suggested a private hotline for parents and youth as a stop
gap.
LPD reported an incident around racial/religious graffiti which is still under
investigation.
School Committee liaison reported that the Race Amity Proclamation passed at
school committee meeting and is on website.
SH attended the Comprehensive Report stakeholder's session on housing and met
with MI and other Lexington housing groups regarding the housing website. Kathy
Santos will be working on the strawman for the housing webpage and we are
hoping to have it up and running by fall.
9. Housekeeping for Remaining Meetings and Future Events (MDR)
• Elections —let FY know if you would like to run for any roles.
• Committee will have to make sure we work on length of meetings and
factor in commute time, as well as the timing of our meetings. The new
DEI person may have a say in the timing of meetings.
• We need to start planning for future events earlier. No Hate November
planning should begin now.
10.Chair Report— See attached report.
11.Unexpected Items Not Reasonably Anticipated in Advance
12.Public Comments for Items Not on the Agenda
13.Confirm Next Meeting Date and Time - TBD
TG Motion to adjourn; JB Second; Passed
Attachments
• Bob Pressman Report
• Chair Report