HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-CRC-min.pdf Notes of second CRC workshop meeting, ',held June 24
Each member was to bring a list of five problems and their solutions.
Dave Wilson, who was voted acting chairman, succeeding. Howard Kassler,
offered the following, all of which were agreed upon except No. 5.
I. Public relations open houses at police station, invite public to
tours and explanations of procedures and policies.
2. Tod) often the tendency is to see people as institutions, not as
individuals. Spotlight peopa (police officers) , introducing them,
their families, their backgrounds, their personality, in an effort
to develop (or work toward) compassion.
3. Involve the community encourage residents to go on patrol with
police officers ( "ride-a-long" ) . Participants coubd be (a) those who
are bing abused, or' ( 2) those who condemn what is done as aftermath
of party.
4. Recognize the necessity to speak out on certain issues that need to
be identified, i.e .., station adjustment, handcuffs, youth services.
5. Create an advisory board (not a police screening committee) , named
by the chief to work with him to bring to his attention issues or con-
cerns of residents,
6. Develop a position within the department of policeman and family
counselor team to meet with chronic baw breakers, in an effort of
collecting greater evidence to deal with these offenders.
Jim Corr commented that these were great suggestions. Some have been
tried, he said. He cited a problem the Crisis Intervention Team
(Mystic Valley) is having, which is that when they go to a home where
therm is a probler ,, the response to their knock on the door is ,. "Go
away, we don' t need you. "
"Who rides" with police would have to; 'be clarified.
Bernie Harleston would develop a greater program of citizen awareness,
including the "ride-a-long" as one part of it.
"We lost that personal connection when wo became motorized," said Corr. •';
"Know Your Police ,Officer" could be a feature of the Minute-man.
The committee continues to support a police-taught course in th&. schools.
Bernie noted a "significant change Zp attitudes toward authority,"
a major point of discussion at the first workshop session.
"The shifting notion of authority is pervasive ," he said. •
"We have not been, as tolerant of where the kids are as we should have
been," he stated.
As Dave Wilson said at the first workshop, "We do not have a police-
i °
1
4
-2
youth problem but rather a community problem."
Howard recommended publicizing existing rules and regulations of
the police department for better understanding ofthe role of police.
He would recognize that some police officers are particularly good
with dealing with youth, and would have certain key people on every " y
shift who deal well with youth.
"A larger scope of the youth-police program (within the PD) could be 't
strengthened, " he said, suggesting an expanded youth program and
youth counselor.
Bernie would favor a citizen review board. He said there is a significant h
lack of confidence in the police. Howard, Dave 'Milson and Jim all
disagreed. Dave Cooper was not sure. No one supported a citizen review
board.
Howard Some citizens feel there is discriminatory enforcement.
The committee agreed to include in its report a statement to that
effect, accompanying it with a statement to the effect that they be
encouraged to report action which they believe is discriminatory to
the proper authorities.
r
The committee is urged to review notes of the first workshop (the
second sheet prepared by Pat Swanson and distributed but not discussed
at the second session) .
Themes pervading the committee' s thinking at the first session were
that: there has been no significant evidence (based on numbers who
appeared before the committee) that there is a police-youth problem
in Lexington;
lack of mutual respect;
lack of communication;
$iverse attitudes
inconsistency of attitudes toward the police
lack of respect for, or acknowledgement of authority
not a police-youth problem but a community problem.
c'.
ASSIGNMENT FOR JULY 8 MEETING
Come in with prepared statement in answer to charge from board of
selectmen; continue to work on problems and their solutions.
COPY TO Board Members
7-2-76 From notes (June 24)
C x.c Anne Scigliano
7-6-76
UL_ 1.. 1976