Okay, we are now recording. Excellent. Um, so it is 6:31 Wednesday, January 14th, this is the Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, and I am calling us to order.
And under chapter 2 of the acts of 2025 extended through June 30th, 2027, the ability of a public body to meet in a fully remote or hybrid manner. I feel like I missed a word somewhere in there.
Members of the public who wish to access the meeting may do so via Zoom or by telephone. No inperson attendance of members of the public will be permitted, but every effort will be made to ensure that the public can adequately access the proceedings in real time via
technological means. Um, so that is the intro. So I'm just going to go over the agenda. We will have announcements. We can we table the minutes since we just got them today. Is that okay? Okay. Mhm.
>> Then member reports, public comment. Then we have um Ry and Becky from Ammerst Wreck to give a presentation. Then Crest and DEI updates and town council next steps as to Crest dispatch
um depending on how our updates go. And then we have a sample bylaw to review potentially our OB updates, youth empowerment center updates and retreat planning and then public comment again.
Um, so does anybody have any announcements? >> I don't. >> Okay. Um, the only thing that I saw in the DEI
newsletter that wasn't also in the update, but I did want to bring people's attention to is on February 4th, there's going to be another bystander training um, run in part by the Lucay network and the Pioneer Valley Worker Center. Um,
and that information is in our packet that went out. So, um, >> Oh, it is. It's in It's in our packet. >> Uh, yep. The the DEI and the Crest newsletters are both in the packet that went out. >> Okay. No, no, I saw that. But I'm saying that the Lucay one is in there because
Yeah, I kind of briefly reviewed all of them. I might I might have missed it, but you said it's in there, right? Because I'm >> So, it's within the um DEI newsletter. >> Okay. All right. Thanks. Um, I don't think that there were any other
announcements that might not be covered by the DEI update. Um, in terms of events that I'm aware of, at least um, we have a new town council. They were
sworn in last Monday. Um, Mandy Johanni is the new town council president and Alicia Walker is the new town council vice president. There are they did appoint the different committees
this past Monday, so the 12th. Um, so those committee appointments are on the town council's website in their most recent meeting packet. Um, Alicia Walker is no longer on the finance committee.
Um, and then I think I think Hollow Lord might not be on anymore. I will have to double check, but those were just looking at some of the minutes from last month. I was like, oh, there are some changes to what is going um, you know,
who might be where going forward. Um, and we did get a request, a request from President Haneki asking if we wanted a liaison to be appointed again and I did tell her that we do. Um, so they will
be, I think, working on those liaison appointments as well. Um, so when I know anything, I will let everybody know. Um, yeah, those are my announcements. Do we have any member reports?
Nope. All right. Um so we can go to our first of two public comment periods. Um we have four attendees in the audience, two of whom are our next presenters. Um, but
if people who have joined us would like to make a public comment, you can use the raise hand feature and then we will bring you into the room. And there will be another option at the end of the meeting should something come up that sparks
your interest. All right, I'm not seeing any hands. So, I'm going to say we can move along to Emerre. We will have to bring Rey and Becky into the meeting, which looks like it's happening.
And before they start, I just want to one welcome them and two thank them for spending this evening um presenting to us and having a conversation with us about the good work that they're doing with the youth here in Amherst. >> Thank you. And before we start, I can
also thank you all for having us. Um I can tell you uh in that introduction, Counselor Lord is with the G. She is uh uh she I I did just get the message this week that she's on the go.
>> Um and so do you want us to just start? >> Uh I want to you know thank you both um too as you know one of the coaches. Ray, welcome back. I know you've you've come and presented to us in the past. So we're definitely excited that um you
both are back. Becky I hadn't met you before. So, um, that's awesome. Um, so we're looking forward to your presentation and then also, yeah, we'll have some questions afterwards. I am going to share my screen. First of
all, thank you all for having us. Um, we're excited to share with you. I we do have because some of the programs that we're presenting are best seen through pictures instead of descriptions, we do have a slideshow. So, I am going to share my screen.
And I guess as an introduction also as we get this loaded up. I'm uh Ray Harp. I'm the director of recreation. Uh thanks for having me back. Becky is our outreach director and she's been the engine behind a lot of these programs that we're going to be talking about today.
And so um okay. So uh as an introduction the mission of Ammeris Recreation is to enhance the quality of life for all residents uh by providing diverse recreational programs, facilities and services to connect, grow and build a
stronger community. What you see here is you see a collection of the programs that we offer. We've found over the course of the last few months certainly that that there are some parts of the community that view us as being far
right side view us as being sports leagues. We're the we're the we're the department that brings youth sports and kids leagues. Uh there are other people that think that we are there there are some people in the town that believe that we are the pools. Uh there are some
some people who believe that we are the the the green slice there which is a lot of the programs some of them that we're going to be talking about today. There there are people who don't know that we're connected to all of these different um these different sections. This is an overview of the types of
programs and services we offer the community. While our primary focus is on Ammeris residents, our programs are open to all ARPs students and non-residents of Ammerst. Um, and so that includes the four towns, certainly the ARPs, four towns, that
includes non-residents. We do focus on on including people that want to want to participate, but we are primarily focused on Amoris residents. One thing we really want to um take this opportunity to do is to help get out the
word about the accessibility and support that we offer for families and individuals to take advantage of our programming. We are committed that to ensuring that every child in our community has an opportunity to play, learn, and grow.
And we recognize that program fees can present a barrier to participation. So we offer financial assistance programs for incomequalified Ammeris residents. Additionally, we are looking at other ways to further reduce financial
barriers to our programs. So we offer sliding scale subsidies um that are income based up to 50% off program fees for all classes, clinics, leagues, and child care programs. And these subsidies are funded by an annual
appropriation from the town to the recreation department. Um, additionally, we um have worked to minimize out-of-pocket costs for families by having an equipment lending library where we provide necessary gear
and safety equipment to participants at no cost. Um the town gave us ARPA funds identified for outreach and some of what we did with that funding was to buy equipment for some of our youth sports programs so that individuals could just
borrow equipment for the season and reduce their out-ofpocket costs. Um, one thing that we've worked hard on over the last couple years is, um, expanding our inclusive programming so that
individuals that are, um, particularly children that are neurodeiverse or have need accommodations to participate in our programming that we're expanding the number of programs we offer that can accommodate um, those students. And part
of that is our culture city sensory inclusive initiative. Um, which we use training and the town gave us money to buy sensory tools to help make events and programs more accessible.
We use um those primarily in our child care programs as well as our basketball and aquatics programs. But I did want to speak about our child care programs because we know child care is not a want to, it's a have to for many families. And so
we wanted to share the word that, you know, we offer licensed child care programs for most of the year. Um, we have an afterchool program at Crocker Farm that serves students in grades K through six. That free snack is provided daily. We offer school vacation weeks
camps for students in grades K through six. Those are licensed through the Massachusetts Early Education and uh care um department. We are summer camp is um licensed through the town board of health and serves campers ages 5 through
12. We have a counselor and training program for ages 13 through 15. And we have junior counselor positions for kids age 16 through 17. We're fortunate to partner with the school to provide breakfast and lunch at no charge to all
campers um including anyone under 18. We also include swim lessons for free as part of our camp program. It's um I also want to share that all of these programs accept all child care state vouchers whether it's autism
waiver vouchers or transition vouchers. We will work with multiple groups to make sure that a student can participate. >> And now uh morning movement uh I hope that you all are very familiar with the program. This is a program that we have
been very proud of uh in our partnership with the schools in our in our ability to work with directly uh children in the schools. This has been a it's been a recognized as one of our our shining
gems and programming here recently. But we do want to spend a little bit of time tonight talking about Morning Movement and its mission. Um, the mission of Morning Movement is to support ARPs youth in grades 7 to 10 by pairing physical activity with community
building and mentorship. By providing a dedicated space for movement and positive socialization before the first bell of the school day, we prepare students to enter the academic to enter the academic day focused, regulated, and ready to succeed. At its core, learning
movement is building a community. We create an array of opportunities for participants to build organic connections and friendships that span multiple grade levels. For our older high school participants, we're looking for leadership pathways through the ARHS
uh uh alternative learning plan, the high school learning plan, the Alps program, allowing them to earn high school credit while serving as peer leaders. Morning movement provides a rare inclusive environment where students can bring their full selves and this includes all of their uh
experienced trauma, live lived experiences, their difficulties with school allows them to bring this into the room and here growth is a collective journey. Sometimes uh you know students are more than just participants. uh they actively invite and challenge the adults
in the room to to see their humanity to to recognize their ambitions and unique personalities. Uh we're dedicated to helping our students become the best versions of themselves through a purposeful balance of structure and mentorship. Uh it's a
daily practice for us. It is it is a commitment for us to try and help them bring out the most in themselves and and the people that we have in the room. So the strength of M MMP which is what we call morning movement is rooted in
its diverse coalition of partners. Um Amoris Recreation has been fortunate to be part of this program for now three years. This fiscal year marked a significant milestone as the program became a formal part of our department's
budget. So while this move centralizes the program within the town side, the school remains at the heart of the program. We are deeply grateful to the family centers, Dr. Gravara, the ARPs principles and staff as well as
facilities and transportation teams for their continued partnership for this program. We literally couldn't do it without it. We're equally fortunate to have the steadfast support of Crest, the Amoris Police Department, and other law enforcement partners,
as well as Ammeris College in UMass. Um, our college our college partners provide um mentors that offer academic support and mentorship to our participants. They host us for field trips and provide us
with academic resources to better inform our practices. Building these partnerships isn't always easy and I will say unequivocally that morning movement and mentoring has flourished because of them. I want to specifically speak to our partnership
with the Amoris Police Department. This collaboration has evolved over the past three years based on the needs and goals of the program. Knowing that when we bring together a diverse student body and law enforcement, we are required to face difficult
questions and issues with intentionality. But we believe the benefits of their presence are profound. Engaging youth in law enforcement in non-traditional capacities allows both groups to foster mutual trust within a
safe and natural setting. This environment fundamentally shifts the power balance, fostering a unique culture of communication and mutual understanding. Officers improve their ability to relate to youth, understand more about them,
their dreams, their goals, and some challenges they might face. For students, it provides a safe space where those arriving with opinion shaped by social media, trauma, or lived experience meet the people behind the uniform. And ultimat ultimately this
program creates a safe space where both officers and students are challenged to look past their assumptions and dismantle the biases that they might carry towards one another. So a secondary value of morning movement is that you know it lies in its ability
to address some of the systemic issues that I believe have been presented to the town uh through various uh through various routes you know including uh the community safety working group report uh that that I sort of looked at heavily
when I was beginning my work in this direction four years ago. Um, the report cited deep-seated fear, dehumanization, and a lack of trust in police with BIPO within the BIPO community, noting that traditional reforms have often failed to
create a true sense of safety. We believe that the fact that so many students are showing up every day speaks for itself. And additionally, a growing body of research indicates that programs like ours drives significant improvements in community police relations by number one humanizing youth
for law enforcement. Uh when officers engage regularly with diverse youth, their attitudes shift across the board regardless of their own background or tenure. These interactions do more than build rapport. They develop the cultural competence and insights into adolescent
behavior needed to deescalate high stress situations. Building meaningful connections also enables them to move beyond demographic generalizations and see the individual. The consistency replaces any implicit bias with personal knowledge about the
students character and ambitions. Statistically, the personalization mitigates biased policing. When an officer encounters a young person on shift, they are far less likely to react to a type, but instead guided by the familiar faces and shared
humanity of the youth that they mentor. Uh we see examples of this regularly inside of our program. Uh we also see of course uh uh for the people who come to our program for its purposes, we we reshape youth perception. Also, morning
movement directly addresses feelings of vulnerability and dehumanization by building trust through movement and by creating a level playing field where students see officers as mentors. They experience a partnership as they play together, challenge each other. This
shift replaces fear with a shared identity, empowering students to navigate their community with a sense of personal security. Research shows that students who participate in outreach programs of police report significantly higher levels of trust in law enforcement. This change is most impactful among nonwhite
youth and those who have had previous negative experiences with police. When officers act as coaches and mentors rather than just authority figures, it breaks down long-standing barriers and builds a foundation of safety. We've seen these practices u play out before
our eyes. So, we want to talk about who Morning Movement serves. Um, it's important to know there's no cost to participate in morning um in morning movement. Um, we serve a variety of students that come to
our program in very different ways. Some students self- select to come. Some parents request that their students participate. And some of our students are here at the referral of ARP staff um to get extra
support. Snack is provided at no cost and um transportation is prov limited transportation is provided to 22 students. >> Continuing who we serve. An important note for you is that Ammeris Recreation
does not ask or record demographics on any of our programs beyond grade. Just our summer day camp, school vacation week, and after school programs do ask for info as to how a student enrolled in the program will get home, but we don't typically track information
um unless the morning movement in particular is connected to u a grant process. the high school had I mean the that the school department had been uh involved in collecting for the grant uh ahead of time we had we have to we have
to uh uh present that information so we were tracking in ways that we don't track for all of our programs but who we serve um u the the and this one right here we're looking at
uh participation of grade level uh we have seventh graders eighth graders We have high schoolers. Um, and you see there's a relatively even distribution for the high school students. We we keep them in the program for as long as it makes sense for them and for us.
Sometimes they start out through the comfort of Morning Movement, what they've been involved with in the in in middle school. They they ask to come and participate early in their high school time. And sometimes they find their circles, they find their ground, and then they they they wind up sort of
saying, "I've I don't need morning movement anymore." Or they get tired or they get uh they they may they may tap out at some point, but we find that a lot of high school students still use the routine and and normal order of the morning day. Uh we have uh the
distribution on the right here is transportation. Um, and these are all self-reported by the way. These are the easy ones because it this involves our our understanding the students and what their actual function is in our program. But, uh, the budget supports three school vans to
bring students to the program. This year, 35 students have requested transportation. Um, and so that creates the weight list that we look at uh that we look at managing for for participation. There are some that live inside and walk and bike. Uh there are some that request
school transportation. There are also some that from the wait list or beyond that have the means to get here on their own and we welcome them. So, as you can see, most of our students are male um identifying and again, these are all
self-reported and that 56.5% of our um participants qualify for free lunch and um 4.3% qualify for reduced lunch.
for accommodations because a large part of this is u academic uh academic support. Um we have we certainly have cooperation from the school department in trying to give us access to some of the things that that students might
need. But in terms of who they are, we have a a a you know a close to even split between students who are who have an IEP or 504 and those who have no services or accommodations. So, it's not simply a a uh a program that is looking
to to provide services for students who are who who who who have uh accommodations through their through their schooling. Um and then again, important to note that this is self-reporting in terms of race and ethnicity. Uh you see the distribution
here. It is a it's a it's a it's an incredibly uh multicultural uh diverse backgrounds. Uh um a lot of a a lot of different kids are coming to us from with a lot of different backgrounds. And this just shows a little more
specifics on the races reported by our students. Um, you will see certainly in some of the pictures that you'll see here, you'll see some of the diversity that we're talking about here. I think the um the pictures are are indicative and
we're not walking around trying to chase our diversity and throw them in pictures. Um, I think that any sort of cross-section, any any any if you walk into the school, uh, during program hours, I think you'll see a sense for, uh, what the program looks like. But,
uh, we wanted to put this together just so you can see that not just what they do. We won't be quizzed on this. Uh, this is a sense that this is a normal a day with a routine, with a schedule. One of the things that we want you all to know is that we believe that routine is
a very important part of this and giving them structure and giving them order and coming in and having these pieces. If there's some variation, it's not always exactly this, but we try as best as we can to to give them a sense of order and
routine every day to have an sense of expectations to have a sense of accountability. And so, you know, it's attached in it. There's some messaging work. So it's not just a come in to us and have an open open gym and sort of play around. There is a sense of our mentors getting a chance to mentor them
through this schedule also. And it ends with that walk to school for our ARM students to take that walk over to school. They do it in the cold. They do it in the nice weather. They do it in they do it when they're frustrated. They do it when they don't want to go to school. And they and it is a it's it's
part of that that routine for us. and we just wanted to show you some pictures of what a day looks like. Um, so we have art supplies. Um, I'm going to plug we just the middle picture up here. We just got um the town was able
to get us some money. Um, we had several students, actually quite a few students interested in learning how to wrestle. and one of our officers um Ed Bennington as well as one of our Ammeris College mentors have a background like have
wrestled um in and or our wrestling in college and uh there was a group of students who wanted really hard to learn how to wrestle. So, the town was able to give us some money so that we could purchase actual wrestling mats because
we were using um quite old gym mats that weren't quite up to the task. Um but you can see we have wrestling. Um we had, you know, sometimes individuals lead groups like they're working on core
strength, jumping. Um um we play soccer a lot, we play badmint and volleyball a lot and basketball is the you know the most common sport at morning movement and mentoring. So just to get a picture of what what's available during our day.
Um we try to be very studentdriven um in what we have available and I think that is part of the reason students keep coming. >> Um uh these are homework pictures. Before I talk about homework, I will tell you as a coach, I'm a coach. Uh I
have another life as a as a high school coach coaching youth for goodness too many years. And I will tell you that that one of the most impressive things that I've seen the program uh uh officer Bennington uh Benny's an outstanding coach. I've watched people gravitate
towards that wrestling club. So when we had an opportunity to get those new wrestling mats, it was an important piece of it because we identified that the mats aren't strong and kids who had no experience with wrestling uh all of a sudden became wrestling interested came
over and they had a chance to be coached, directed wherever they were. Some of them are not very good yet, but they had a chance to really really get some get some top-notch instruction. So, we have a a shining gem there among other shining gems. Um, homework help.
Like I said, this is an academic uh support space. People will bring their we have spaces set up for kids to come down and sit down with mentors. Uh we have we have uh you know what are you working on sessions where people can come in sit down and work on like
getting some of the some of the worksheet type busy work together. Having college folks come in and sort of give them some tutoring help which it goes beyond sort of filling out paper having time and space to fill out paperwork but to have some some uh corrective work in there. So these
pictures show some of that the culture of getting that work done while at this at this program which they could be playing. They do some they they all will do some mix of playing and working and and um you know creating their own
success. And I also want to add um when we go on field trips um like last week they went to the UMass women's basketball game um students are asked to show their grades
to get a permission slip and to set up a plan if they are on the DNF list so that we can help them like motivate to improve academically at school. We work with a school a lot when we have a
student struggling academically and that is to both the you know the student and the school's benefit. So it's it's a nice feature that we have the mentors available to support
students academically. Um I know we've talked about um what you know you've seen what our students are doing during the program. Um we were fortunate to present to the ARPS regional school committee and
unfortunately we haven't been back in a little while but I did wanted to share some of the parent perspectives on what morning movement means for their students. And one thing, like even though this is a couple years old, all of the parents you're going to hear from
in this video, their kids are still coming to Morning Movement as high school students, which is really wonderful. I also think for kids with um IEPs and like ADHD in particular, kids need there is not enough movement in the daytime.
And so when you have um morning movement as an option for kids with a lot of energy, it makes a big difference. So just in terms of Ellis like um we used to get calls with some regularity about basically just having an inconvenient
Ellis having an inconvenient amount of energy for a public school and I haven't we haven't gotten any. So I have just four parents >> like uh this program is phenomenal. Um and I also love the fact that Monday through
Thursday my kids are gone before even up in the morning. So that's that's also good. But honestly, what I love about it is that, you know, with everything that we see going on in the media about, you know,
uh, the police officers and, you know, with with all that stuff going on and to know that in our community, we have, uh, first responders that are supporting our kids or this allows our kids to see that there are phenomenal police officers out
there. And, you know, like I love it. I love the fact that they get to hear. I love the fact that UMass uh students. I love the fact that it's a great community and I love it. I love it. I love it. And I hope that this program
>> I don't know why it got cut off there, but >> we can't hear her. Oh, let me see if I can turn the that community >> what the standards of a good community are. So that's works both ways. So the
community know the kid became known the kids they start knowing the kids so they know what to expect from them and they also see them kids good examples. So this is acceptable in our community. Our community, this is the standards. That's
what >> Oh, I don't know why these keep getting cut off. I apologize. That was not happening earlier. >> Seeing my son uh you know motivate by himself to wake up so early and without
me having to push him. Um and I really feel like you know my son gets services at the school as well. And I think what one of the parents said that is really important is that what happens early in the morning with the exercise, the mentorship in the community building has an effect that trickles through the rest
of the day. Um it helps the teachers, the classroom teachers, the counselors, the everybody in the building, you know, benefits from the guidance that starts, you know, at the beginning of the morning. Um just like, you know, they talk about healthy habits of getting up
early. Um so that concludes our portion on uh morning movement. Um the other part we wanted to share was um a program that unfortunately I will say just got discontinued
um but it's I think important to share regardless. And so, uh, Rise, uh, if you are not familiar, was a weekend version. >> Sorry, just sorry to interrupt, but why did it get discontinued?
>> Um, honestly, because they were purchased um, it in December, we found out they were purchased by another agency. It was a national nonprofit, but it was a rather small nonprofit. They were purchased by another company and
this um their social justice work was um discontinued by the company that purchased them. Um we value the type of curriculum that RISE has and we have been working to
find identify and secure programming like this for the community. Um, but this is unfortunately um we just got the email like two weeks ago that this was discontinued um by them, but one of the
staff members that you we worked with on our curriculum um has started his own company. So, we will be working and on pursuing that for um to bring it back some kind of programming like this in the fall. As
the director, we we certainly I I can I can tell you that our our value is in the in the programming that it provided. They were really responsive to our community needs and trying to support us with a curriculum that made sense. Um and if we can't do it through RISE, we
can do it through a proxy. We can do it uh Chief Tang has been a huge uh supporter in this and a fantastic partner for us. And so we would like to try and explore ways to continue to do these to provide these types of uh
benefits through programming in the future. But but RISE itself the the agent that sort of brought it is no more for us. Um uh and so you see this the building leadership through and developing trust
through sport. This is a free structured youth program for us. It was Saturday mornings. Um we we spend it's it's halfime. It's it's split in half where we where we uh uh do a little bit of of
workshop learning um um discussions having some really tough conversations about who you are. These are the people in your neighborhood. What is it what what does it mean to you to be this or this or this? We we really try to
challenge kids to uh look at themselves and the people around them. Uh giving them some fluency and some of the some of the language of of social justice of of identity as they move forward and and
basically cue them to be to be active agents in their high school careers. Um the goal is to break barriers, foster mutual trust, and create pathways for positive open communication while building youth leaders. It's a small program. We'll see when we compare this in morning movement, but it's a small
program for us. Uh intentionally a smaller program and so uh important for us to to identify the differences between morning movement and rise. Um morning movement was is a much bigger program. the the
the the bigger situation is morning movement is a bigger program. It goes throughout the school year. It is multiple multiple days with a lot more kids. Um Rise was Saturday mornings. It was 6 to 10 week sessions. We we pulled
three sessions out. We pulled three seasons of Rise out and it was it they were short. I think an appropriate amount of time for people to come in, get to know each other, uh, challenge each other, and then move on to the next piece. But you're talking about, you
know, maybe a dozen kids, uh, that are that are coming together for Raz. Um um uh and so and the other thing is that when I mentioned before that morning movement uh the the role of the police
is that the the whole uh u building relationship between students and police was a secondary value of morning movement. It's an important value and it's and it's certainly part that we've we've seen fruit come from that but it's
not the main goal of that rise is in its nature is to build that that it's its primary focus is in finding a relationship between students that are trying to trying to understand themselves and uh law enforcement and
agencies like Ammeris police department. They they were really really strong partners. uh Ammeris police was uh the the police were really strong partners for us because they put an equal value that we did in building those
relationships. Um um and it's the focus of of rise whereas it's a it's a byproduct of morning movement. Um um you know we would like to replicate that again later on. These are 45 60 minute structured lessons. We would like to be
able to move those present those later on. Our next slide is going to be talking about the topics that we looked at, but we'd like to be able to replicate that. Moving on, um topics that we've looked at included this is a picture from our first culminating ceremony um with some of our
participants uh some of our some of our uh partners uh in law enforcement and recreation. Um we looked at topics like understanding our identities. We talked about equity versus equality, uh, and getting kids to
to play around with those concepts. We looked at things like conflict resolution, um, uh, microaggressions, and really getting them to actively actively create, uh, some of the some of the, uh, some of the realities that
they're that they're exploring here. Um, we did a lot in terms of community building, but we looked at that uh, racism, anti-racism, what does it mean to be a part of an institution? And so we're we're trying to prep them for the larger conversations that middle
schoolers may have now. We're trying to prep them for the larger conversations that they may have as they move into high school and into their own academic world. And we learned I mean we did learn a lot from them through that process also. >> And then we just wanted to give some
perspectives from people who participated in the program. The first is Officer Coblin who actually participated in two sessions of RISE. >> My name is Andrew Coblin. Uh born and raised in Ammerst, Massachusetts. I went to middle school here. I went to
Wildwood right up the hill. Graduated from the high school in 2011. Uh I've been with the Ammerst Police Department for a little over a little over a year or so. Um you know, so this program, you know, holds a special place in my heart. you know, being part of the
community, being able to give back to the community that, you know, gave me so much growing up, you know, so I think that's the biggest thing for me. >> Awesome. Did you enjoy the program? >> It was so much fun, man. Like, you know, for me, you know, I'm a new cop, right? So, I work overnights. So, most of the time, you know, I'm coming off an
overnight shift or like today, I got to work at 400 p.m. yesterday, work 16 hours and then come straight here. >> But for me, it's like a like a like a breath of fresh air. You know what I It's like a boost of energy every time I'm around the kids and uh you know I feel like I get I get so much from them.
I learn so much about their stories, what makes them them. You know I see a lot of myself and some of those kids and I see you know even things like I learn from them where it's like man you learn somebody's story you're like oh man I can work I can work 18our day when I learn about what somebody else is going
through and they're you might not even know you know that they're going through because they have such a you know positive mindset. So, I think it really helps kind of put put things in perspective like that. >> Awesome. Thank you so much. I definitely appreciate you coming here, especially after working 16 hours. So, I should have prefaced this with
part of RISE is they do pre-erveys, post surveys, and then they do interviews at the end of each session um because it's data driven um in their curriculum and how they maneuver um how they adjust
successive sessions. So part of the interview they ask um the adult participants and the youth participants different questions but they speak to all of them. >> My name is Raphael Santos uh junior and I am an employee at the Hampshire Sheriff's Office here in New Hampshire
County and a volunteer for RISE. >> Awesome. Thank you Raphael. Did you enjoy the program? >> Absolutely. I think the the program is an excellent program. The vision of the program meets the needs of our community and it's a vital piece of of helping these individuals grow in a positive manner and bridging the gap between law
enforcement and and our youth. >> Cool. >> What was your favorite lesson or activity? >> My favorite activity was the privilege activity. I think that gave us a lot of insight as to where uh other individuals around us come from and what they're uh have access to or don't have access to
and just being able to see things from a different perspective. And then what sort of impact did you see in like the youth or even yourself throughout the past five or so? uh just the collaboration and like for me it's just it's personal um because as a youth myself I was troubled and I and I had a
rough upbringing and this connection with the uh with this program has really you know light a fire in me and uh and just seeing a positive outcome with individuals engaging with them and even building a personal relationship with uh an individual who I didn't know before and now I'm helping him through some
some issues that he's working through in a positive a positive mentoring Awesome. And what would you say to other officers or youth who are interested in joining the next cohort of the program? Should they join it and why? >> I think it's a you know it's a opportunity to to explore something
different. Um give yourself an opportunity to grow and I think the importance about having other youth involved is just to see law enforcement from a different light and and have that positive connection. I I don't think we have enough of that in in our communities. And um you know the volunteers are there and it's a perfect
time to give back to the community. For me personally I feel that that's something I'm obligated to do um because it's it's it's what is instill in me. Now giving back feels great and I think it would serve anybody well if they put their hair time
>> and then I just wanted to share some of the students perspectives because unlike morning movement rise participants are only there for the few weeks of the program. >> And what grade are you in? >> I'm in seventh grade. >> And where do you go to SCA?
>> Where do I Oh um I go to Edward Middle School. >> Awesome. So before the program, how did you feel about law enforcement? >> I thought they were, you know, uh, a little bit more different from us. I thought they were like more powerful and
that they could like, you know, control like they could like send someone to jail if they wanted to or something. >> So if at all in what way have your feelings changed? >> I think now I see them more like human. Um, and now I can like relate to them
more and then like I can trust them more now. >> Um, why do you feel like you can trust them more? >> Um, because like I realize that they're like just the same as us. They're just like they just have different jobs than us
>> or the program. So you did this program last year. So, can you think about what you thought before the program last year to what you think now? >> I feel like the program last year was a bit I don't know, but I feel like this year it's like it's kind of like empath
and I feel like this is great. >> Excellent. Um, did you What was your favorite activity that we did? >> The trust where we had to close our eyes and we had to trust one another. >> I like I feel like that would look great. >> Yeah. What did you like about it?
>> I liked how I got in front. It was like something that we don't just like kind of happy that we were able to. >> Excellent. Um, what what key lessons did you learn from the program?
>> Well, I learned we have the same thing, but it's not that everybody has different needs. And I also learned that um my family have something.
>> All right. So what would you say to you that are interested in doing a program like this or thinking about it? >> Um I feel like program it helped me a lot understand like we work with like the police department. So just getting
to know like what's around us and like getting to know the department is pretty good. So yeah, I feel like this. >> Excellent. So I'm going to stop sharing my screen um because that's the end of our presentation,
but if anyone had any questions, we'd be happy to answer them. And I know that was very long, so I appreciate your patience. So, um, yeah, I want to start by just thanking uh the two of you. Thank you for that presentation, very thorough,
and obviously listening to the different feedback and everything else, and I really appreciate it. Um, you know, obviously it's it's, you know, both programs, especially the morning movement seems to be a really well attended program. seems to be uh doing
well in providing a service for you know our students and obviously the fact that a majority of the students are uh bipok students that are in that program even though it is diverse there are some um white kids that go to the program but
majority bipok so obviously is offering a service to our bipok students um but I do want to say like one thing is is that I I know that you all didn't start the morning movement obviously it was started before by the school by
others and then wreck kind of you know once it it started gaining kind of popularity and things like that then wreck kind of almost like I don't want to use the word took it over but anyway took it over type of thing and now has town money and and all of those things
so I guess I want to kind of you know give credit to those teachers who really started it first and saw that there was a need for the morning movement um especially before school because a lot of parents especially BIPO parents have to go to work during that time. They
don't have the um where wherewithal to have either family members or or caretakers or what have you for their students to be able to, you know, to to be there safely so that they can go to work, you know, which is a a a big
reality of bipac families, right? Um so in terms of there being a high um enrollment, we have to also take into the account the realities of us who are bipac and us who have situations that
really don't give us an opportunity to say well you know hey I'm going to you know just leave my kid at home or I'm just going to do this. I actually need to put my kid in these services because, you know, I don't have an alternative. So, you know, you know, I I guess I want
to kind of give a background and context to why you all might have such big enrollment, you know, which obviously doesn't take away from the program, but also it's necessity too as a bipok parent, right? I I you know, you got to kind of talk
about that >> to >> go ahead. Well, yeah. I I I have, you know, some other kind of >> concerns, I guess, besides it being a grade, but I do have the concerns and especially around the law enforcement, right? Because, you know, law
enforcement um taking part in the in the morning movement uh program very heavily. So, and then RISE being really law enforcement focused that kind of concerns me. Both of them concern me,
right? Um because one um who who is doing the training with the police before they work with these young people? You know what I'm saying? I I I guess I get concerned about how you know I you know yeah it's wonderful that they're there.
interacting with our youth. But who has ensured that what they're interacting and what they're sharing with our young people is actually not racist, uh not microaggressive, not intimidating,
not um you know kind of showcasing their power because these are still young people who have a necessity and have to be there, right? So my thing is, was there any training done with the police before they're interacting with our young people in that way and especially
our bipok young people and um you know what is the messaging like for me I really would want you know consultants and consultants that I trust of color to actually be there working with if you
all are going to have the police. I I'm just concerned. I I get it that it's like, oh yeah, it's so great. Woohoo. You know, they're there interacting with our young people, but I'm just I'm just concerned about what they represent. One, what they're actually interacting with our young people. And I'll say our
because I'm a bipok woman and I see our young people, right? And you know, what's the actual messaging happening there, right? and and that makes me even kind of go into the rise which is even more kind of concerning to me because it's definitely all like law enforcement
focus again with those same concerns. And then even that that um you know that one comment that the one young lady um from the middle school said that you know what she gets out of it is that they are the same as us um but have
different jobs. No, they're not the same as as us. They're actually not the same as us, right? And their jobs are not the same as ours because they carry a weapon that can actually injure people. So that
concerns me quite a bit, right? That we're not having these really deep conversations and these deep kind of um um background in history around why the police were even created, right? which
was to go after and capture Africans who were fugitives during slavery times. You see what I'm saying? So, if we're not coming from that background where we're giving our bipok cuz these are my bipok, that's my bipok community, my bipok
youth. If we're not giving them that context, right? If we're not coming in with that type of realness and those type of deep conversations, then you're doing a disadvantage at the end of the day to our young people, right? Because then they're going to be walking around
our our community thinking that yes, the police are just like us. No, they're not just like us. Actually, they're not. They're not. Right? I'm actually very afraid to engage with the police when I'm out and about in the neighborhood because of what the police can do to me. You know what I'm saying? as a black
woman. So, so, so wait. So, so for me, I really want to hear some kind of, you know, like what type of training, what type of actual
communication besides just the police showing up and being like, "Yes, let me do your homework with you and let me do this and that and the other." because I'm severely concerned that none of that background and deeper work has been done, continues to be done and will be
done which then impacts right on the more deeper level our young people who have a necessity right that parents have a necessity for them to be there. So, okay, I think I'm done. >> Understood. Um, I I think the way to try
and respond, thank you for that. I think the way to try to respond here. I want to try and tackle the first part and I'm going to let Becky sort of step in on some of the training pieces because it it is thorough. There's there uh it's not as thorough as certainly as certainly it could be if we had a bigger
scope and a bigger budget and and and more processes there, but but but we're careful. We're we are intentional. We're careful. So, I want to give Becky a chance to respond to that. The first piece that you brought up was regarding and thank you for pointing it out. Yes,
it was the history of Morning Movement was originally I came into Morning Movement because as you all probably know, the the middle school gym is right above my head. Uh there was you probably could even hear it over the course of this this conversation right now cuz I'm
in my office right now. The gym is over our head and there's balls bouncing. And so for for a year or so, uh I'd come in to work early in the morning and there are kids sitting outside my office. There are kids that they've just been in and I would sit down and talk to them and say, "What's going on here?" And
they they're their their their love for the program, their love for this small program that they had. The the schools were very invested in giving them an opportunity to come in and own the space and to make this a part of a part of their daily routine. uh um u you know u
you know we had we had unbelievable partners that were that were keeping it together without a budget and without without any sort of real mechanics behind it. Um and the kids loved it. The most important thing was kids loved it. The kids were for some reason they were
showing up here every day. And I thought that was impressive. When ARPA came in, when we when we were when we were given the opportunity to spend ARPA money in the in a direction that was, you know, at least in the same area, we went and
and sought out the family center for the opportunity to help them. And so, so again, this is I know you you sort of you sort of said it and and and and we have to guard against the whole idea. We've been very careful to know that
this wasn't our seed. This wasn't our our intention. The schools have been wonderful for us because we said what can we do? We have this grant money here. We we support your intention and we want to try and help the program become what it can be. And that's not
our direction. that was partnership with the with Marta Gavvara and the family center and Dwayne Chamble and the family center that was that was a that was a that was a connection with their structure and their order which we acknowledge all along. Um and so so the
investment we put into the program which now u I know Becky mentioned earlier today that this is this is a this is a transition time for us because it's been absorbed in the town budget. We've we've built it to a point. We've supported to
a point where it needs that that financial support and now we are we are not replacing anything that the schools have done or we're not seeking to replace anything the schools have done. Uh if anything we're supporting them. We continue to support them in their as as
the main agents for the health and safety of the kids that are that are involved in the program. they are still our most important uh partners because they have access to the kids. They have access to their records. They're the ones who have to be looking over them all day. And as and as you point out,
some of the kids need to be there or they've they've we've created structure which now they are to at least to some degree dependent on. And so we need to we need to make sure that they're students. They're going to the stu going through the days as students. We need to
watch out for their health and their safety as they move on through their days. And so it is all intentional. It is all we have wonderful partners in the schools. We have we have we have a a mission a mission that we've we've locked in with the schools to try and
provide for them all of the bells and whistles which make it kind of fun, but also to ensure the things that this program needs to ensure. And so that's I I I want to make sure that we we give credit if we were not clear enough that we are still working in complete
cooperation with the schools and that and that they are providing us with all the resources that they can in our mutual pursuit of of reality. I want to make sure that that I say that now that the schools are have have been have been
wonderful partners in a in a a collaborative mission in terms of that role of the police and I will let Becky speak to this but in terms of the role of police I can speak as a director right now and say that we did not run to the police and say hey come on in here
you know I know I don't I I won't I won't fight you on any of the historical uh arguments about We also had some of the questions about, you know, is it is it right? Is it just is it safe to have them come to our
program to have them have such an important part of the program. That's not something it's evolved the the relationship we've had with the police because we've seen we've seen them be be thorough partners for us and more importantly for us, they've been very
very strong advocates for and with the the students. I do want to let Becky sort of speak to that second part of the conversation here and and and you know I I might have something to say at the end too. >> Thank you. So just to add on the school
side, yes, the school is the heart of morning movement. So, morning movement two years ago when it was still under the school, we were using ARPA money to pay for staff members um as well as we added transportation to
the program so that students who couldn't otherwise attend could have access. That's continued for the last two years. We were in a bit of a um a crisis last spring in that we weren't
sure the program was going to be able to continue because ARPA funds um were no longer allowed to be used. The school did not have money within their budget to pay for this program which cost the town. So, the school provides a staff
member that's about $9,000 and the town provides about $43,000 for the rest of the program that covers snack, transportation, materials. Um, so we have been paying for that portion for the last two years. So when it came
formally under the town budget this year it wasn't that much of a change other than you know we're housing it more more directly through recreation but we still
partner we may like I meet pretty much weekly with the school to talk about the students and any issues that are coming up. Um they are essential partners in this program and we're very grateful. Um
Principal Sadiq and Principal Rodriguez, is that right? Rod Middle School Juan, I can't remember his last name. Um they are super helpful in supporting our program. We could not do it. We're trying to build a web under these
students so they don't fall through the cracks. And the more partners we have help us do that. as to the training of police. So actually Bill Laramie was part of the program before recreation became part of the program in 2003. 2002
he was pulled in as a second person with Seaha Kruch who started the program um and was willing to meet with students before school at 7 a.m. Seaha is still an important part of the program and we're really grateful for him. So, Bill
was already part of the program. Um, the first year we did it uh with the school we had at that first year hired pair of professionals from the middle school to serve as staff alongside our director
Maria Vega or now Grove. Um, so that didn't work very well unfortunately. There was a couple of issues we were having. Um, so we looked to expand staffing to accommodate additional
students. Morning Movement has grown every year. Our college partners are amazing, but they're only here certain weeks of the year and there are large gaps where we do not have staffing. Um, we brought in additional um, Ammeris
police officers because we were looking for staffing and they had some officers who were willing to participate. I'll be honest, we that second year we hadn't really fully defined in the way we felt most comfortable
having APD in the room. We got feedback from students. And so over the course of last summer, I actually sat down with all of the APD officers that had been involved in the program and we kind of agreed on what
exactly their role was and you know really focusing on the model of we use deescalation not discipline like very direct about what their role within this program is. That being said, we
have three non-APD staff members um in addition to myself and director HAP who also like I'm at the program almost every day, not every day trying to make sure that things are going well. APD officers before they
start attending the program, number one, they sit down and talk with them or they talk with Maria Grove who is the morning movement director. um she's the boots on the ground during the day and kind of sets the tone within the gym. We meet with them, we discuss
whether or not it's an appropriate personality for the students we have and then they sit down with me for at least an hour and we talk through their roles of what they can do and what they can't do. Um we are very like for rise we
literally sat down with APD and said this is the type of officer we're looking for. um rise. I had actually gone to Roxbury to look at their program. They were running a program out of um the Boys and Girls Club in Roxbury.
So, I had driven out to Boston to like kind of watch the program and see how it was and see how the students and the police interacted and the community it was building. We came back with great intentionality. um lots of meetings, lots of
conversations, lots of reference checks on the RISE program and how the curriculum was run. It was not a quick decision to do this program. It probably took six months of research before we decided to actually run the program. So
everything we have done, we constantly evaluate. we constantly assess whether or not it's appropriate or not. Um, part of that is the data driven that feedback they get from RISE. Um, but ultimately
what we've really tried to do with both programs is really help them to be youth focused and go in the direction the youth are asking us to take the programs. And so I can I I'd also want to just uh
add to that and say that in their capacity in morning movement in particular uh u in their capacity every day those those you know for every day that they're in session APD is not and it's it's it's not out of
out of like uh statute but it's it's certainly their willing u acceptance of a position. They're they're not responsible for discipline. They don't want to be responsible for discipline. We don't ask them to be responsible for discipline. We don't uh anything I I
hope Deborah that and your and if I hear your question right about their role in in sort of sort of playing a u playing their power their power. They're not in uniform with the exception of a couple specific cases where they're coming
right off a shift. Uh where where one officer who we value dearly comes in right off a shift in uniform. They're not in uniform. They're they're kids that don't know that they're police officer. When they find out, they're like, "Whoa, I I I had no idea." But they're not involved in any level of
discipline because they don't want that. Uh Chief Ting very early on said we don't want to uh Bill Laramie said we don't want we don't want to be grabbing kids and saying hey what are you doing their their relationship with our kids and our program is not one of punitive
measure it is strictly uh one of support and so that's vetted in the process of bringing them in and seeing who is the best fit. Um, you know, it should be noted not that it matters by itself, but it should be noted that that uh many of
the the people who are in law enforcement have been regulars for us are bipac themselves. Um, and and the and with Seaha and Maria um, you know, they're they're they're regularly in there. They're they're the two engines
they're bipac themselves. So that shouldn't matter by itself, but it is representation matters for us and that's and that's a that's an important part of setting up the structure. >> Yeah. I mean, and I'm I'm not going to take up more time because I know Algra
has her hand up, too. I mean, I get all that. It's just that obviously the police have deep-seated um issues themselves. So, I just really worry about the fact that now they're working with our kids, with our BIPO kids, um,
without them dealing with their own issues of racism and microaggressions and use of force and intimidation and and so on so forth. So I I just I just worry that how is it that then um they
can impart any type of you know wealth of information or what have you to to our young people and Rey I mean I I get it right that you know that there's bipac police and everything but as we know the police you know the color
is blue you know um and at the end of the day that's who they are they're blue so as long as they're part of that that group that's the group that they follow, right? Is whatever that that group's messaging is and things like that. So, all all I want to say is that I don't
want our kids to also fall into this um naive, right? Because now they're over here like hanging out with the police and thinking that it's going to be all hunky dory without understanding really the the the aspects and the history and
the everything of the police. And if the police I mean I get that you all vet them but if they haven't gotten the training themselves right if they haven't worked on themselves if they don't have that that understanding which I don't I don't believe the police do. I'll say it right here. I don't think
the APD or any of police really have um that type of understanding because like I said they run blue then you know what type of messaging are we actually doing with the with the young people? So I I don't have a problem with the program itself. I think the program is great, wonderful, you know, what you all are
doing are great, but I still have an issue with the police involvement and what type of messaging is actually being shared with with our young people and what type of kind of um ideas they have, right, when walking
around in that community in terms of, you know, the police because unfortunately that may not be the the reception that they will get, especially as they continue to get older. >> So, I hear you. I appreciate it. I definitely want to hear from Leard. Let me just say to that that as a director,
we know that we have built we have more evolution to come in the program and we are we we are committed to to uh continuing that work and making sure that our uh you know all of our partners are are equipped with what they need to
hear. I'll I'll tell you inside my own head, this is meant to sound a lot more optimistic than maybe it could be read. So I forgive me if it doesn't, but uh uh you know, and talking about institutional racism and institutional
institutional discrimination, um education is also an institution that's rife with with with racism and and and so if we do after school programs with teachers and that sort of thing, we could have the same convers. It's not the same. I'm not I don't want to
diminish your your anxieties or your fears or your or your hesitations about about our partners, but teachers. I speak as a longtime teacher. education is rife with racism and and so we could have a whole program where we have
nothing but but teachers in the room and we still have questions about how are we bringing in people who will be able to uh speak to the children empower them to be what they need to be and to be and to not let their own institutional biases
and their own institutional difficulties distract them from from what their purpose is in the program. we'd have this we'd have similar issues if not the the heavier sort of uh you know you know it it certainly feels weightier to have a conversation about police but I think
there's not an institution either we could have we could have anybody attached to basically any American institution and deal with the same questions the same issues uh and so so I >> that's a little bit different like I said I said just the police you know
they can arrest they can maim they can injure and they can kill you know what I'm saying So, and I get I get you right. Police, you know, teachers can also, you know, meld minds in a way that really obviously can impact, you know, I've gone through school systems that
were tracking, you know, uh um you know, kids of color into law tracks and all that. So, we can have those conversations just again the police they have and we all have to know that, right? That the police have a whole different uh uh aspect of power, you
know. So for me, Ry, I know you know like Eveina Kino, right? So she works with young people. She has a really great she's worked in the middle schools. I mean, I would feel a lot more um um Oh, what is it? I would feel a
little bit better, I guess, if you all were actually bringing someone like her into that fold to actually do some work with the police, right? Because just vetting them is not enough. they actually need some work to be done in terms of how they interact with our
bipok kids, right? And some real deep work needs to be done with the police. So someone like Eveina A Kino who is at that caliber, she's the one that you all need to bring in or someone you know to that caliber that knows our kids that's lived in this in in this community and
has kids in the school system, you know, to be able to do work with them to that I would even start to think like, okay, that might be maybe maybe it could maybe, you know, but but to have the police involvement
because if y'all are not doing that level of work, I I'm concerned. But anyway, I I'll move on. >> Laggra heard. Thank you. >> Um I mean I certainly appreciate all of Deb's comments. I mean
I think that again our work came out of an instance of police brutality that didn't occur here, but you know that doesn't mean something like that couldn't. So I think that's always going to be at the forefront of the the minds of people on this committee when we are
thinking about what's being presented as programming in the community. And I really I you know I didn't realize there were so many partners involved in the morning movement program. So I I am glad to hear that there's local students participate you know college students
participating in in some of the academic support. I think that's a great use of the resources that are here. Um, and I think what my first question was actually what is the weapon protocol for APD during these sessions and hearing
that they're not in, you know, their uniforms, I'm assuming maybe that means they're not carrying weapons with them, but that that would be a big concern for me just, you know, what is what does that look like? >> So, I can answer that. Um, so our APD
officers are actually they're just in their gym clothes. they're running around with kids by and large. >> Um, so there's not the there that's not an issue. Um, they're there to hang out with the kids. They
don't lead the mentoring sessions that's usually guided by um, Maria Grove, who is our director, Anthony Pisano, who's our assistant director. Um, we are very intentional with the role of police. I want to make sure you
understand their main function there is to work out, play basketball, play volleyball or bad mitten, help with homework. So the relationships they're building aren't around the structured conversations you see in RISE. They're
more informal. So what we're trying to do is just create an environment where students feel empowered and they're our primary focus of the
program. So when kids want to do like they want to do staff versus student basketball games or kickball games on Wednesdays. So that's what we're doing on Wednesday. So we try to keep the program very youthdriven
and we also we have a very specific role for APD within the program. So they're not I don't want to conflate the the deep discussions of RISE with the I'm going to get this basketball and like dunk on you kind of thing. Like one of our
officers Casey Nagel is a former basketball coach. So he works a lot with the kids on drills and they can earn like a Gatorade um at the end for like sportsmanship. So their role is very
informal and that their main job is to build relationships with the youth. Um, in part of preparing for this presentation, I did actually a lot of research into the benefits and potential difficulties around
bringing youth and police together. And you police officers benefit greatly from developing relationships with youth. It builds their cultural competency. It builds their understanding of youth development. And it helps replace their
bias with actual knowledge. So it is creating better police officers to have them as part of this program. I also think we can't change systems without having conversations. And I
think that's one thing that RISE did was have those deep conversations around privilege and bias and racism and conflict resolution. So, I think they're very different programs, but I'm a little concerned that maybe we're
conflating some of the discussion with like morning movement is really about play. Maria or Anthony lead the mentoring sessions or some of our college students lead the mentoring sessions if we're talking about like friendship or body space or consent or
we just talked about how to be a good friend and like recognize what your friends are trying to tell you. So we our mentoring sessions are all about like self- advocacy or other things but those are staffled not APD.
So that's you know the staff we hire for the program. So I do want to clarify that. >> Frankly we may have lost some students interest in RISE because of the police role. RISE is about the police and that's okay. We're we're okay with that.
They're still in in our orbit. Uh they're still in our programming orbit. Uh they still are we still are committed to to their development and we take no offense to it. We we know we may have lost some students who say that I don't really want to do this because
um they're morning movement the police are not the morning movement is not about the police. Uh it's a secondary uh it's a secondary benefit for having it there but it's not about the police. the police are not in a position that is not pushing a a relationship with them on police officers. We're using mentors and
they happen to be one of our most reliable, useful, and successful mentors. >> And I just had one other question um about the morning movement program is what might drive a staff referral? Like is it academic based or is it kind of
we've noticed this kid's acting up in acting up in class or whatever? Can it be a variety of things? >> So, we get a lot of referrals for kids who have ADHD as a diagnosis. Um, so we know that they have a lot of energy to
burn in order to regulate for the school day. So, we have a lot of students with ADHD. We have a lot of students who are struggling behaviorally at school. Um, and we're hoping to build different coping mechanisms to get through the day
through just helping them move in the morning or get some support in the morning um to get ready for school. We have some students from Summon Academy in our program um that they're just awesome. Like the whole
thing is regardless of who any of these kids are or which school they go to, like they're all super amazing kids that like come in and like some come in with their like their hoods over their head and their face down and they're tired and they
just want to grab a pop-tart and be, you know, warm into their day. Some kids come in and they're like kicking the soccer ball around. Like there's so many different kids that are part of this program that makes it so wonderful that we have so much interest and energy in
the morning. Like you have to go in and have energy when you're there because the students demand it. But it's really it's wonderful. Like I know we have students that are currently unhoused in our program and we prioritize our transportation based on need. So, our
tier three students are the students that access our transportation. We make that a huge priority. I'm consistently working with transportation to make sure that the few seats that we have, we're prioritizing level of need to get those
students there. >> And referrals can also come. I've said this a few times when we've presented this, but the referrals can also come if there's a kid that just needs to own his own space, her own space. Like like one of the things that we think about and in
terms of the value of the program is it's a lot easier. I speak as uh as a as a you know myself bipac growing up in in predominately white institutions uh growing up in in in uh you know and
in in grade school into college that one of the things that you need to be able to do is you need to be able to own the space where you are and not feel like you're walking through the space all the time and trying to trying to prove that you belong. A lot of times referrals can happen because people are new to the
school and need to need to own the space to come over when there's not teachers and you're not there that's not you're not in the job of being a student and say this is my space. Now you have ownership over the over the the area there. I think there are a number of kids who who this is the beginning of
their social connections of their of their own student networking. And so I think I think teachers and guidance understand that and and connecting kids to morning movement because there's so much engagement there that they're
there. They're they're active in the school when it's not when they're not students. And so now it's makes it easier to claim space inside that inside that institution later on. >> Thank you um Emerald. >> Thank you Algra. and and and thank you
guys for being here and your presentation. I I think it was um very helpful and I think we also give the community given that these meetings are recorded um give the community a lot of information that um may not have been
available before. And um acknowledging what Deborah said, um I I I do think that engagement is better than disengagement. and the fact that um there is active participation and and
watching the videos with the testimonials from um police and from people at the Hampshire House of Correction to say they're getting different perspective. I I think it's an opportunity um for all parties to learn and I think in doing so that changes
culture. Um but going back to Deborah's concerns, um my question is um to what extent are parents involved? Um what inputs do parents get um in this program that involves the police? And if a
complaint is lodged or um rises, how does that get addressed and who and who does that? >> I can speak to that. Um, so we're very transparent with all of our parents. Um, I send out regular newsletters and
photos from the morning to share with parents. Um, we have not received any complaints other than um, I've gotten one parent complaint that a college mentor said that, "Oh, it's okay if your grades
aren't good in middle school. You can improve them in high school." to which the kid said, "Oh, great. I don't have to worry about them this year." So, the parent was concerned and reached out to me about that. I spoke to the mentor involved. Um, and we've added some
further talking points for our training that's coming up actually is it next weekend? Um, we have a training for the second semester students that are coming in. >> And and you talk about mentors. um and
people being available. Um if someone wanted to volunteer, how do how do they go about being a mentor for this program or any of these programs? >> So most of our mentors are actually college students um at UMass or Ammerst
College. Um students at UMass find us actually one of two ways through the FAM lab um under Dr. Evelyn Marcato. She runs a family and minority health um psychology
program at UMass. Um her students that are all interested in youth development and mental health are part of the program. They come one to two days a week. Um and then we have
students who work through the center for community engagement at Ammerst College um who find the program and come to it that way. We also are we since the beginning of my time with morning
movement in 2003 we've brought in athletes as well from Ammeris College and UMass to work with the students. Right now we don't have we have only one parent volunteer who's part of the program. Um Bogdan he was um he's been
involved with the program actually since you know before like 2002 22 he came into the program as a parent volunteer. His son now participates in the program. He's a professor at Eisenberg at UMass
and um he kind of was already there when we started. Um so if parents were going to be involved in the program, they would have to come first. We do a meeting, do a walkthrough, show them the program. Moring movement, when you see
it in action, that's why I like um showing photos of it. When you see it in action, you get a different sense of it. So um you would come in do that um like do a tour and then we would sit down. We
have multiple trainings that we go through. You also have to go through the school's um background check core forms um to know but we don't have a lot of parent volunteers within the program and that
would be actually a decision that I would refer to. I would talk to Dr. Gravara as well as Maria Grove who is our director to see like what if that fits within what we're doing right now.
>> Thank you so much. >> Sorry. I have um just one last comment on this. Um, again, thank you all for of course entertaining our questions and yeah, I mean, obviously we're the community safety and social justice um committee. So, you know, these are going to be the questions that we're going to
be asking because that's who our constituents and our members who are, you know, a lot bipo folks uh want to know and and want us to ask these types of questions. But I guess for me the only last thing that I would say about this is even that comment u Becky that
you were saying that obviously the police get a lot out of it and it helps them and so on so forth. I mean that's great. I I get that. But again that's that's again putting the onus on BIPO to um students to kind of be the ones to
almost be um you know there to make the police better people or what have you. You know what I'm saying? or be the the bipok person in the classroom that now has to answer all the black questions and stuff like that, all the Latino questions or whatever. Or I know I was part of an organization that was all
white and we were a BIPO group and we were with this organization for many years thinking that yes, this is a exchange and you know and we'll educate them and about being and and I basically gave up because I was just like no, I'm not going to do that. It was too tiring
for me to be under that type of stress where I had to educate white people on how to treat me as a person. You see what I'm saying? So me and my group left that that situation after many years because it didn't serve us. So but but this is different because these are
young people, right? These are kids, right? Who yeah, they they need they they they have necessities, right? They want to be there. They want to get that that that um you know that love and support and all of those things. So I just want to I mean you all have our
bike park people there who are around these police. And so all I'm saying is that you have to take extra extra care. It doesn't matter that they're just there playing ball or whatever the case may be. You know what I'm saying? This is serious business cuz this is our
young people. You know what I'm saying? So you have to take, you know, the extra mile to really kind of listen to what we're saying, right? In terms of, you know, the history and the the, you know, the the deep aspects of this, right? Because we're you're trying to then
prepare these BIPO kids for their future and we don't want them to have a warped sense of of their future, right? So, so that's why I'm just saying, you know, think think and really kind of, you know, hear, you know, some of this
feedback and stuff and see where, you know, it can be enhanced because it seems as if you all want to, you know, continue forward having law enforcement in even though for me, I have your concerns. You know, that wouldn't be my choice. I would probably have other volunteers as opposed to law
enforcement. But if you all want to continue with law enforcement, then I think more work needs to be done with on them so that it's not our young people that are the ones that going to be their educators and their teachers. You know what I'm saying? So that they feel better about themselves and they have
the benefits and stuff like that. It needs to be on them. They need to do the work and they have a lot of work to do a lot. So um because I'm always, you know, talking to APD, you know, about the work that they need to do. So, and I don't
feel they done. And so, for them to be around our young people, they need to do that work. Um, and then last question, and and Ray, you might not be able to answer this, is that obviously we've been asking the the town manager um questions around the youth empowerment
center. Do you know if there's anyone that is kind of being charged in the town to kind of answer questions around the youth empowerment center and the establishment of the youth empowerment center? I don't know that uh that uh that's
that's not that that's not with me in recreation right now. >> Yeah. >> I don't I can't give you any information. >> Yeah. So, that's something I have we have to continue to ask the town manager then, right? >> Yes. >> All right. Absolutely. >> I appreciate it. But thank you all. I
really appreciate you all taking the time to um you know, come talk to us. >> Thank you. Always a pleasure. >> Thank you for coming. >> Thank you all. Um, so I guess we can move on to Crest and DEI updates. >> Yeah. And with the Crest because I think
time is kind of the essence. We're already at 8:00 and with Crest obviously Camille if you can let us know like where is dispatch at. >> That's really number one question. >> I can I can give you my report now then.
Okay. So um good evening. Thank you for being here and um few minutes to provide an update and some clarity regarding Cresbian on dispatch and what this means for the department, the community and our work ahead. our current status. Um, if you've looked at the newsletter that
was in the packet, um, Crest is now officially on dispatch. This means our responders are receiving calls directly through the emergency communication system, 911, rather than relying on self-dispatch, diverted or warm transferred calls. Uh, this is an
important step forward that reflects the town's commitment to integrating Crest into the broader public safety ecosystem. So, things of how we've gotten here. Um, I've spent the last several months working closely with the town manager, APD leadership, HR, and of
course, Angel um to address operational questions, established clear protocols, and prepare our teams. So, throughout this process, we have prioritized responder safety, the appropriate call types, our training and readiness, and
reliable two-way communications. And currently Crest has the topofthe- line radios. Um, this groundwork has positioned us well for responsible and phased roll out. So what's working well since going on dispatch, we've already
seen some positive indicators. Um, dispatchers are identifying call types along with the aligned with the crest mission. Um, as it is January right now, even uh sitting in my office hearing the um
the dispatchers go on, not much is going on. It's been rather quiet as far as APD calls and fire calls. Um, communication with dispatch has increased uh through our clarity of our roles. Our internal communication and documentation process
have strengthened. we have very clear um goals and these early signs are encouraging and show that the system is functioning as intended. So what we're monitoring as with any implementation we're tracking several areas closely
volume and type of calls being dispatched to ensure that they remain appropriate. So these are the things that we're working on now. uh workload balance among our responders, a coordination with APD, fire, EMS, and dispatch, and also community feedback
both from callers and service recipients. So, we expect to refine and adjust our approach as we gather more data from day-to-day operations. And one of the things I wanted to talk about is is that um working I met with the town
manager this morning and we are setting up uh bi-weekly meetings for myself um the chief of the fire department and the police department and also Jason who is the um ECC supervisor to go over
calls and see what calls that are appropriate for Crest and to make sure that the the dispatchers um and everyone involved understands what we're we're doing. Um our protocols were vetted by
the town legal um department and also so we have a main protocol that covers a basis of how Crest will respond, how our radio communications uh go about uh speaking to dispatch and our response
um and also working with APD and fire on how we will respond on needs for parallel response um and also how we will respond on scene with them, whether we need to turn
something over or they need to turn something over to us. Um there was a call on Monday that we were called out on and it was actually um fire that called through dispatch for Crest to go out uh to a local business and what it
was was uh an elder who had had a medical emergency and needed to be escorted home but fire couldn't do it due to the fact that once they put them in the ambulance they have to take them to the hospital. So Crest was called to
take this elder home because they were unsteady on their feet but were medically cleared. So Crest was able to engage. They have had my responders have had interactions with this elder in the past. So we do have a good relationship
and we were able to take them home. Um, some of the other things that Crest has been very very busy with is our unhoused population and also the has been an increased need of um, elders that are needing support. So that is a big
portion of what we're doing now um, and what we need going forward. So for Crest to be successful on dispatch, we need continuance support in a few areas. the ongoing collaboration with dispatch leadership, community outreach to ensure
residents understand when and how Crest can help, continued clarity around role boundaries and call types, adequate staffing to meet the demand, and support from the CSSJC in communicating the importance of this transition. Um, your
partnership is essential as we move through this new phase. And overall, I just wanted to say that being on dispatch is significant and positive milestone for Crest. It reflects the trust the community has placed in our work and brings us closer to our mission of providing compassionate non-p police
crisis response to the residents of Ammerst. Um, I look forward to your questions. >> Um, I'm going to jump in and just so that I make sure I understand. Mhm. >> You were saying that Crest, like if
tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. there was a mental health call in the middle of town, >> Crest could potentially be the one who is tagged in to go to that. >> Yes. >> Okay. So, not just like, okay, we have everything in place, but there's still
another step. >> No, we are all primed. We are on dispatch. We have the the biggest thing was getting all of our protocols, our SOP, standard operating procedures set and um we worked tirelessly to get all
of our information out there, our whatifs and to make sure that we had clear steps of what is a crest call. So the um our policies are available if anybody wanted to look at them. Um I can send them to
you. Um, and >> are they on the website on the on the >> No, not currently. Right now, our our data person is out until tomorrow. So, we haven't updated the website. >> No, >> but that will be a place they could live so that the public understand.
>> Yes. >> And dep um so thank you and yay. That's first and foremost. Woohoo. Oh my god. Long awaited. So, it was a labor. All I could say is
that this is since I um came to Crest when I came uh April 8th of 2024, this was one of my main projects and um it's it's been something that needed to
happen and the department has been primed. Um, I am very proud of my responders and how this department has grown since I've been here. Oh, I also wanted to um say that we also
have a new responder um Terrell Jones um a bipac male um who uh has worked with youth. So, we are looking forward to his onboarding training um and figuring out
what his niche is going to be. Um all of my responders have um gifts as I call them that there's something else that they are involved with. I also want to mention that um we also have conf confirmation that for the rest of the
grant only until June 30th we have hired a program manager uh Daniel Garcia and he's going to start on Tuesday. Um he comes from Texas and he has a lot of
experience with uh first generation uh college students uh federal grants and working within systems, >> right? But that means that now you have six responders then. We are right now we
are down one and in we just finished the interviews and should be having um the sixth responder uh by the end of next month. >> Okay, great. Great. Absolutely. >> So we will be fully staffed at six.
>> Okay. Yeah. Um so I I guess two questions that I have. One would be um the call types. If you could let us know the call types that are going to be dispatched so that we have an idea. And two, because and obviously it's going to take a little bit of time. We understand. And and I'm happy that you
all are going to be still meeting bi-weekly, right, with fire, APD, and the dispatch manager to make sure that you all are kind of like continuing to craft it and look as things go into practice because obviously it's going to be a work in progress, right? This is a
live situation. So you all are going to have to kind of like, you know, really tweak here and and figure it out and all of those things. So I guess my question, my second question would be, you know, right now you all would be fully staffed at six because of the fact that the town
manager decreased you all by two. You know what I'm saying? But really, you need to be fully staffed by eight and then more because we want to increase also the hours eventually, right? Especially over the weekends and into the evenings, which is when things
happen as as per the LEAP report and things like that. So I guess those are my so what are the call types and then what will happen though you know is have you been talking to the town manager to let them know that obviously six is not going to be enough and obviously the
community wants you all to be to have more staff so that you like for for instance and when I say more staff that means an assistant director for you not just a program manager until June but an assistant director for you and more responders for the community so that the
hours can increase. You know what I'm saying? And we can have we can >> Is the town manager listening to some of that? And obviously, you know, want to know the call types. >> Um, okay. So, if you hold on one second, I'm opening up the call types. So,
currently our call types as of January 1st, 2026, we have um assist AFD. Um, I'm not going to go through the numbers. Assist another fire department. Crest administration. Crest assist neighbor.
Crest outreach. Crest assist business. Uh well-being check. Transport mental health assist uh other police department followup community engagement nonviolent
school and assist APD. Um so with within those call types would that would um kind of like noise complaints would would that fall into any of that any of that? >> No. Noise complaints are not noise complaints as they currently state through the Mass General law the way
it's stated are um two calls two two units so two cars. Um, also during the day when Crest is open, um, there are I haven't heard of any, um, noise complaints. Most of the noise complaints
come in, uh, according to the logs at 1 2 3:00 in the morning. Mhm. >> So, and at that time, um I just want to be clear that I would not want to send two unarmed people,
uh citizen responders to a call in a college town where it could be anywhere from 50 to 100 people. and we do not have the power uh or the license to tell someone to turn their music down or you
know break up a party. So um that is not something that we would be able to do uh as responders. So it is I I don't think that you know um in the realism at
2 3:00 in the morning drunk people etc. that is not something that I would want to send a an unarmed response. Um, >> yeah, I mean I get that. I get that when you're talking about So I think I think though we I I guess I do want more of an
explanation in terms of the mass law and all those things because those complaints though still is is nonviolent. So I I mean I I could even see if if it would be maybe Crest and the police. I I'm just saying the police, they don't have the wherewithal
to actually deescalate a situation because like I said, I always bring up our example of us being bipok people, professionals who are having a party and then the police showed up and basically were trying to almost arrest us when we were just kind of like, yeah, we were we'll put them, you know, so they don't
have the deescalation skills. That's what I'm saying. But even borrowing that, right? So, I'm talking about noise complaint because that's what that's what happened with the young people. The young people was a uh the the youth, the July 5th youth. That was a noise complaint. That was
>> also that was a few young people that were there. Noise complaints in there. Yeah, it was in the evenings. But that's why I'm saying come here. We want you all to be in the evenings. >> Okay. so that you all can respond to his
complaints, >> right? So, here's one of the things that um alternative response, okay, most of the alternative response that I've dealt with and going to the meetings and everything else, the
latest most of the response goes from um 7 in the morning and stops at 8 at night, perhaps 10. very rarely, unless they are a large city with a very large staff, goes past 10:00 at night. And
noise complaints are after 10:00 at night because Mass General law for noise complaints is that um cuz I'm I'm helping um someone in town who is having difficulty with the trash being picked
up at um 10:05 or even as early as um 4:30 in the morning. So the law is that from 11 until 7 is a noise complaint. So Crest would not be on at that time
unless there was, you know, a very large department. And we we couldn't send two people to a noise complaint. >> I wouldn't feel safe sending someone. >> All right. >> As it as it stands now.
>> So Okay. So Camille, so then I guess what you're saying then is that you don't want Crest to work overnight. You don't want Crest to work. >> No, it's not working overnight. We Okay. Unless we have the staffing and in order to staff. So one of the things that was
brought up very early in order to have 24-hour staff coverage, you need 24 people to cover in shifts of two. You know, making sure that you have two people. the
in a, you know, in my pie in the sky dreams, we could have 24 people, but that's not going to happen in this current situation that we would have 24 people to to be able to staff overnight and 24/7. Yeah.
>> And this is why I'm saying so right now, okay, working in the confines that we have now, my goal is to get us where we have extended hours, okay, and Saturdays. So getting to Saturdays and
getting to 8:00 at night still takes more people than six people we have because if two people are out that leaves two teams and you can't staff um four people for that amount of time on a
regular basis. I mean right now I have people out with COVID so we are running very very lean and to be able to do all of this work um takes a lot of uh adjusting that's all I can say it's
it's it's a lot of adjustments so while the the um what what we can do so what I'm saying is the the issues that we're having is is what we can do is what we're working on now and as this grows then we can add
in other things but at this time right now we can't add in to anything else. So we need to work within the confines of what we have okay and make it grow as the department grows. So having more
people, building more um responders into it, uh building in our community partnerships, that's what's going to make us be able to do more because right now with six people and the amount of things that we're doing. And the other
part of that is is that unlike police and fire who see a need, it's an emergency, take care of the need and leave. Uh for example, today dealing with an elder um that was a 6-hour part
of the day and then there was someone else who came in that was 3 hours on them. I was on the phone with somebody during uh the morning for 20 minutes helping them. So, these are a lot of protracted calls that we're trying to
get done and help as many people with their needs. And what we're finding out is the needs are increasing. So, I'm trying to make sure that we are taking care of the needs of the people in Ammerst. >> Yeah. And I and I I get it. You know
what I'm saying? I I that's why I wanted to see the call types and that's why I want to ask those questions around noise complaints and so on so forth. Obviously, I don't want to take away from what you all have accomplished and the fact that now you all are on dispatch. That's wonderful. So, we we're
going to build, but I also still want Crest to have that vision. And I'm not saying and I don't even think at this point Crest needs to be 247 at this point, right? Because even the LEAP report said that there's certain hours and there's certain but it it wasn't
even saying, okay, 247 in that way, right? Mhm. >> So all I'm saying though is let's leave the door open. Let's leave the door open to work towards that point. You know what I'm saying? Where we are where we do have the longer hours and we do have
some of that like evening into like you know maybe 2 in the morning or 3 in the morning or what have you. Doesn't have to be until 7 in the morning or whatever but into 2 or 3 in the morning where a lot of times you're getting that. and obviously like the weekends. Obviously with the staff that you have right now,
you're not going to be able to do that. But I just want you and crest, you know, to kind of keep that open because that's what the community, right? Those are the community needs and everything. Those are the that's what the community is expressing and and the wants that they
want because a lot of times when things are happening in the evenings, it's only the police that are showing up and obviously for them that makes them feel very afraid and intimidated and things like that. And so a and unfortunately
>> noise complaints have to be part of that conversation. Again, maybe it's not if there's a 200 people party. Yeah. you all show up, you you don't have the capacity. I get that. But if it's a noise complaint, if you all are working, let's say if there's a shift, and obviously I'm just making
this up, you know, obviously not saying that, but let's say there's a shift from 10 to to two or whatever, and there's a noise complaint >> during that time and it's like the July 5th situation where it's a small group, things like that. That could be something that Crest could go out to eventually. That's what I'm saying.
>> So, so what you're saying, so I understand what you're saying. So that also um coming from dispatch would also be incumbent on dispatch understanding you know where our parameters are and what we are able to handle and those are
the type of things that now that we are on dispatch that we're it's going to be a learning curve. It's going to be a huge learning curve to figure out cuz before again there was only A or B police or fire ambulance and now it's going to be okay
do I really need you know fire and an ambulance is just one separate thing but when it comes to police do I really need a police officer here you know and going through that that call tree and having the
um the dispatchers there in the ECC to change their mindset from it's one or two and go okay now it's going to be this third one. So those type of things are training those are roll out those are and that's another reason why the
town manager was um really happy that this is working in January before the students come back because it is quieter you know and we can take the time to figure out I have a meeting um on Friday with the town manager and the two chiefs
to figure out okay so what's happened so far you know and what can we do better. And again, I am very much um solution focused. So, here's what's happened. How do we make this better? And that's my
whole goal is how do I make this work better for the community? How do I make it so that I'm sure that my responders are safe? Um how do I make it sure that uh we are accurately collecting data? As again, some of the things that we're
doing now with the data is making sure that we are also tracking phone calls because a lot of times the phone calls take up quite a bit of time which weren't being tracked necessarily before. So while our call volume seemed
to be small, it's not actually small. Every day there are half a dozen to a dozen phone calls of people calling in with a need and we're able to help them out directly. Um I had somebody coming in who was looking for English classes
and didn't know where to go. Took them down to the senior center was able to help them with some food. Um the the mobile market also gave them resources for the Emmer Survival Center. So, and now we're tracking all these things.
So, there's like there's so much more of a need. and our mission statement of filling the gaps. You know, at one point when I was reading the CSWG report, it on paper it doesn't look like the the
needs are very wide, but then as we're getting more and more into it, I'm finding out there is so much more of a need that people um are not fulfilled. So, but I do understand what you're saying
about building on. So, there's always my mindset is always a growth mindset and always figuring out, okay, what is it that we need? How much more um we're we're doing the budget starting now. It's like, what else is it that we need? And of course, I'm going to say more
people >> and let letting us know, like you said, we're the ones that are here to advocate for you all and everything. letting us know what you all need so that we can keep advocating because this is, you know, the teamwork that we need to have so that we can you all get like more and
more support and of course the budget that you all need to continue to grow. So, >> all right. Thank you. >> And I and I was going to say and I also really appreciate having been at the um town council meeting um which when I went I went to support and then getting
put in the hot seat was like okay. But I was glad to be able to answer questions that I didn't realize that people had. So, those are some of the other things that I'm finding out because I've been so focused on getting on dispatch,
getting um our team um cohesive that the message hasn't been going out as it should have. And now with the newsletter, um, also, uh, we do have a responder
that, uh, attends two days a week, MMP. Um, and also Crest, uh, through our grant is also funding, um, $17,000 towards um, the shortfall that MMP has
um, from January to June. So, we're also helping with that. >> Great. I think Errol, did you have a question? >> I did. Thank you, Deborah. So, I I want to make a comment and and then I have
some um small questions. So, I agree with you, Camille, that noise complaints have specific hours and they're usually overnight. and and and I could be wrong, but I'm almost sure that
um the general laws doesn't necessarily address noise complaints. Those are municipal ordinance violations, which means that they're set by the town. Now, within the general laws, you know, there's disorderly conduct, which can include noise complaint. But having said
that, the way the general laws are written, they're meant to be um in concert with the police function. So a lot of what um happens the way the laws are written automatically requires a
police response. Now with that said, the idea behind Crest is that, you know, they're an alternative to police, which means there has to be creative conversations as to what are some things
as much as they're in the general laws that usually requires a police response. that here's a town that says okay we appreciate what the law says but we we don't agree that everything warrants a
police response even though you know it's in the law and what we've done is we've created this organization visa v crest that we say we want to respond to some of these things so that is my understanding of the role of
crest and the premise and with that said understanding that um yes, if someone calls into 911, I'm going to give you some examples. >> Like you said, it is winter homeless population. Um Craig's Doors is one of those places. Um a lot of that you get
calls for >> homeless people trespassing. Not because they're trespassing per se, but legally they are, but because either one they were asked to leave, but they've overstayed or they visited someone who they're not supposed to visit. >> That is a that is trespass under the
law. But again, that is something I do believe that doesn't necessarily warrant a police response. Um, I think Crest can go have a conversation with this person to say, "Hey, you cannot be here. There's a trespass order. If you don't leave, then the police is going to get called." Question, are those
conversations happening as to, you know, nonviolent things that Crest can respond to, or is this weekly meeting that is about to happen going towards that conversation? So when it comes to as you called it like trespass so Craig stores the
survival center and also we've had businesses um who do not want to call the police to help people to be moved along or know that someone needs some support. So what they've done is they call us directly. So
moving in that vein, that would be something that it wouldn't be necessarily um if they So it's language. So if it was called in as a trespass call, that would as it stands now be a police call. However, if it was called
that there's someone there and they would just like, you know, they don't want a police officer, um, but they just want somebody to come over and help this person, then that would be a tres, um, a crest call. >> So, essentially, the caller needs to
avoid the word trespass for to avoid the police. >> It's as it stands now. Um but again, right now all the the calls that would be quote unquote trespass that we have gone to have been um self-dispatched. So
somebody has called and said there's um for example the North Ammerst Motors. Um one of our known neighbors was there and they called us and said uh they didn't want to call the police but they wanted this person out of their office. Um, so
the responders went there, picked this person up, brought them to the bus stop, um, and was able to give them some information to help them because they just wanted to get to the center of town
bus stop and that was a stop for them. Or for example, another one is the uh, senior center. So now as the Banks Community Center is a warming center, there are people that are in the
building um wandering and and I don't mean wander around, but they are in different spaces and while um people are conducting business or they're having classes um so they will call Crest to
come down, talk to them and gently guide them and find out what other things um that they're needed. So that's what I talk about when I say like a trespass call. So, I understand what you're saying, but
um going back to um the point I'm trying to make is that um if someone is trespassing, and I'm and I'm saying they're trespassing within the legal definition of the word trespassing, >> if someone is trespassing, um you know,
it could and I've seen this before, um and it's literally um like someone someone has a trespass order, say from a big Y um and they're at the edge of a parking lot of Big Y. True story. Um that legally is trespassing,
>> but they're literally just sitting there not bothering or not doing anything and that person gets arrested for trespass. If those calls come into um dispatch because you're now on dispatch, >> is there a conversation going on to say
maybe this is a call that crush should respond to rather than the police because again this is an alternative to police response. >> Right? We have not gotten there. I'm taking notes now, okay, for Friday to have that discussion to add that to our discussion
>> because there are also um I'm I'm trying to um you know, think of it. It is trespass is a big one that has all these trickle down effects because
it is literally so simple but in its >> in its application creates so much problems. Um, so what calls have you guys identified so far to say um
that okay, it came into dispatch? Um, and let me rephrase that. What non-medical calls have you identified so far to say um this is something that Chris can respond to? >> So that would be the assist neighbor,
assist. So a lot of the assist business is um what you would say is a trespass call. So if it comes through as assist business, there is an unwanted person there etc. But it is a business saying I
need you know um assistance to help someone you know who is here. So, um, one that came through, well, not through dispatch, but one that came through was, um, at Subway and there was
somebody out there screaming. So, Crest was already in the area and went there and that was actually an assist business. There's also times that the business has called and said, "There's somebody screaming outside. um
can you move them along, but I don't want you coming in here to talk to me afterwards. I don't want them to know that I called. So, that has also happened. But as far as being dispatched, again, we haven't gotten there yet. So, these are the type of things that we're
in the process of talking about. >> The other question, thank you. Um, one of the big arguments to Crest not being in dispatch was safety concerns. Um there was a lot of
talk to say that we can't have them on dispatch because if this call comes in they can't go out there because you know we don't know um the nature of the situation and I think I've said quite a few times you know you know has there
been and this is the question um has there been any opportunities to you know train or work with APD to say um you know in certain situations you know, this is how APD will respond
or and and then develop protocols based on that. Um, for crest, >> I'm trying to understand. So again, you know, when you respond, you don't know
what you're walking into. So the same um list of ex excluders that we have um violence a weapon um we have so that if we went to a call and someone is
brandishing a knife that would be backup call APD you know meanwhile still you know trying to diffuse the situation but from farther back. Um but as far as like
working with the original SP responders did do some training with APD and also all of our responders except our newest one now have gone including myself have gone to um critical incident training.
So, it's learning how working alongside them and how they deescalate a situation safely. So, apologies if my question was compounded. So, let me ask this um a very direct and simple way. Um given
that there were safety concerns, what has been done to address the safety concerns? >> The protocols. So going through and have very clear protocols of what crest will do in situations is what has changed. So
um our policy uh 2410 is so when I was writing these policies there was different iterations of them. So the final iteration became um 2410 which is a broad policy that covers like general
how we will do things. So certain things like um amber lights, we have amber lights. Amber lights are only to be used when parked or when backing up. So we cannot roam the streets with um like we
don't have, you know, like red and blue lights like fire. Um we also are civilian responders. So that means that we have to follow all traffic laws. That's also in the policy. So that's the type of thing that is in this broad
policy is how we will um go to these calls. The same thing again the qualifiers what is and what is not a crest call. If it's a medical emergency if we get there it's a medical emergency somebody fell etc. Um then it's
automatic then you know you will radio in to call fire. um if it is someone is in the process of committing a crime, you will radio in and call for police. >> So, you offered to share the policies.
I'm going to take you up on that. Um and and just to piggyback on the last one, how do you define somebody's about to commit a crime? >> Um more so in the that it's already in process. Do you know what I mean? if if
somebody comes out of a bank, you know, and the alarm's going off and everything else, we're not going to go in. Um, so again, it would be violence, um, weaponry, you know, it it's again, we
operate in the gray area. So that's a lot of what we do. So it it's really subjective of what it is we're seeing and training to figure out exactly, you know, what is and what isn't. back to a crest call.
>> So, is there a list of um things in the policy that says um on his face Crest will not respond to these? >> Yes. >> Okay. And I know you mentioned um
violence and you know the obvious ones which is smart. Um what is in the policy of calls that Crest will respond to? So the policies that we will respond to are again the assist business, assist
APD, um assist neighbor, uh we have um mental health, well-being checks, um we have the nonviolent school. We have people call us to help them because they're having difficulty with their children and they don't want to call
police. So that policy now is hasn't been fully written due to the fact that um I have to work with the schools and right now the big thing was getting the major policies written to get us on dispatch.
So, there's still tweaking and fine-tuning and other things that, you know, as we go along, we'll find out again what else do we need to add to this. I don't want to hug the mic, but I was thinking um but thank you. Um so it
would be interesting after um this week's meeting to see the followup as to what has been identified that Crest can respond to because to me the assist neighbor, the assist um that is one thing um yes there may be
different scenarios of assistance that's needed >> but it it doesn't so far seems as if there is um anything being offered. offered as an alternative to policing in the traditional sense of nonviolent
crimes if um is is my point and and I and I appreciate what you're saying that yes, you're you're just dispatched so things have to be worked out and I can understand that. And so, um, to be fair to the process, I'm going to let you
guys work together to identify some things that can be, um, what can be done while reserving the right to ask these follow-up questions when we meet again. >> So, one of the things I want to really when I say like assist neighbor or um, assist,
those calls are um, well, again, in the police language be a sis citizen. So, and assist business. Those are very broad categories of what APD does or and in
our case, assist business, assist neighbors. So, it's not when it says assist business, that could be a trespass call. It could be that there's usually assist business is somebody is
there needs some assistance. Other times, I mean, for most of us, for assist business, it is that there's somebody there that they want moved. So, that's exactly an alternative to policing. And for a sis neighbor, it
could be that somebody is out in the parking lot or some of our own house folks are gathered around and um a disagreement comes about and they want somebody to come out and mediate. Another version of a sis neighbor is we
had a person call who had a ramp at their home for their elder mother and the kids in the neighborhood were taking that ramp and riding their um using their skateboards on it and they didn't want to call the police for it. So going
there that counts as a sis neighbor. So it's a very broad category. It doesn't necessarily say, you know, um about the the nonviolent part of it, but that is very much part of encapsulating what it
is. Uh mental health call. Um same thing, you know, somebody is struggling with their mental health. Um they might need to go to the hospital, they might not. And a lot of times with our mental health calls, it's just being there to listen and offer someone support
um for um a well-being check. The latest one we had a a daughter call from Georgia um because her
parent is living alone having some hallucinations and she hadn't been able to talk to them. So she wanted Crest to go out and check in on them and Crest went out there checked in on them um and then got more information. And again, these are
the type of things that we get where it's just a phone call and then it becomes um a lot larger than it originally started out as. I I want to ask um one more question to
make um a comment and I'll be done. Um the actually I I'll do the comment. Um so going back to Deborah's earlier point and and yes I am very mindful of the budget constraints and the hours of
crest but I have had firsthand experience where there were situations where the police were called that um you know hindsight and they say it's 2020 >> the police weren't warranted and I've
had conversations with parents who say why didn't Crest respond and of course you weren't on dispatch. So that was my answer to them. >> Um and same thing with noise complaints. Um these weren't the regular 8 to 430
situations and they warranted a crest response versus um a PDA response. So I I I get that, you know, you have to deal with budgets and schedules and all those things and we're not there yet. But I do
believe that the hours of crest um maybe not entirely overnight, but it I think there is benefits to having later hours in the evening when people tend to socialize more and gather more. Um and
those situations usually may, you know, for lack of a better term, create situations that may the APD may end up being called. And rather than APD being called, Crest is available to respond to them. Both these scenarios that I'm mentioning happened during those hours,
not overnight hours, but evening hours that, you know, if Crest was available, um, these people would not have been arrested. >> Mhm. And again, you know, as you said, the problem is is the constraint of what we can do with six people. Um the hours
that we're working now from 8:00 to 4:00 right at the beginning at 8:00 we are I mean today from 8 right through till after 4:00 the responders were busy. Um there are times that the responders have
come in um at 7:30 because they know that there is somebody that needs help at 7:30 for the next day and have had discussions and had a team come in at 7:30 to take care of someone. So it's all I can say is we we are doing the
best we can within the limitations of what we are given. No, I I get that and I'm not I'm I'm not faulting you by no means for your your constraints. Um, and I I cannot tell you or the time how to run their department,
but if I may suggest, um, maybe and I and I know people are hired for specific hours, so this may warrant HR and things like that, but you know, until there's better funding and Crest is properly funded to certain levels that will afford this. I don't know if there's an
opportunity to say, okay, maybe on this day these are the hours and on this day different hours for later hours. I don't know if that's an option to do like a pilot or test to see how well that works out. >> Again, right now with the amount of people we have, and I understand your
concerns and everyone's concerns, but it's from 8:00 in the morning, um, and Philip can attest to this too when he comes in. We are busy from the time we get in now until the time we leave. Um
and to change those hours would disrupt a lot of the the um things that we have in place now that we're taking care of. We really need more staffing to be able to do that. It is it is 100% a
staffing issue. You know, we have got all of our our policies in. It is a staffing issue now. Thank you, Camille. >> Thank you. >> And I I want to say thank you, Averil, for all those questions. Um, you know,
definitely very necessary and and you know, and it's important for us to um educate and and and make our community aware, you know, because these are the types of kind of conversations we need to have. And for you Camille just so you understand like all the questions that
we've had so everyone has had I have had >> it's really in terms of I think you all are doing all that you can given the capacity that you have but I think that this really showcases right the need for why Crest needs more people and why
Crest needs you know what I'm saying like and you need an assistant director I mean it's it's just to me it doesn't make sense why you don't have an assistant director you know what I'm saying it's like why you're you the you know the only person in leadership in crest uh you know leading this this this
dynamic department at that obviously needs more people and needs more resources and things like that so I think what you're telling us really showcases the need right as opposed to those people who are resistant to crest who are out there who are the opposers
of crest who keep on saying oh crest doesn't do anything oh crest blah blah blah blah which is the direct opposite Right. Crest is doing a lot and could do a lot more with the with the with more people and more right, you know, more positions in terms of critical positions
that's needed and more budget. But go ahead. And I think that's one of the things that is what you've brought up and I think that's what I've been really um because I have been so busy and you know trying to get the policies and on dispatch um I haven't been able to and
again I'm only one person been able to make sure that we have gotten out there and had conversations with people and this is why I say I really appreciate having gone before the town council to be able to enlighten some of the counselors that didn't understand and
there are some the counselors that are there now that didn't necessarily understand what Crest has done but now have actually seen us in in our roles and seen the changes because they have done volunteer work
with different organizations that we are part of. So I think things are changing again but it's it's going to take a lot more work and it's like okay my big thing is about
um creating a very solid foundation and then growing the department. >> Yeah. Great. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Erica, did you have anything to add or ask or anything? You're you're good.
Okay. Well, thank you, Camille, for all that information. It's been really helpful to kind of get a sense of what's going on with the department. Um, and Philip, if you want to take it away, thank you for your patience. >> No, no problem. And I will try and make it as brief as possible cuz I I'm going
to assume that uh it's in your packet and that you've had a chance to look at kind of the updates. So, uh we've done staff training, uh department training, it's kind of the first two bullet points that covers that. Um, a couple things that I would like to highlight is at
town hall. There is currently a display up that the department with our the help of our interns uh created. It's called the making of the Ammerst Global Village Festival and it highlights um immigration stories into Ammerst as well as community spotlights. So, if you have
an opportunity to go check that out in town hall that would be wonderful. Um, looking ahead on January 20th, um, from 5 to 7, we are going to be hosting the National Day of Racial Healing as a
department has done since 2023. And that is, um, observed the day after um, Martin Luther King Jr. Day to just kind of have um, community conversations and grounding work kind of to start the new year. Um
on February 2nd, we are going to be hosting a Black History Month celebration. Um this year marks the 100th year of Black History um c celebration. Started out as a week and then led into a month. And so this is the 100th year celebration. We're going
to be uh creating panels to be hung up on uh in town hall just as the ones that are being hung up in um January. And there is going to be a flag raising event that is going to be on February 2nd when that flag raising event happens
as well as kind of the unveiling of those panels that is going to be at 5:00 p.m. um that day. And then for youth programming in February um February 20th, we are going to be having youth programming that highlights a reality
fair that we are calling the game of real life. It's kind of teaching um kids financial literacy, which was the main topic that came up from when we did our survey of um youth when um that happened last year and that was kind of the main
thing that they wanted. This is really um I'll have to say uh one of the interns um highlighted this program for us. she participated in participated in her high school and said that uh she really loved it and really wanted to bring it to um Ammerst and so we are
doing that in partnership with um some community um um organizations. So that is February 25th. That is an early release day and that is open up to middle school and high school students. And then in starting in every month,
every Saturday in March, there is a youth programming for youth entrepreneurship just like we did last year that will lead up into the Amoris Global Village Festival which will help um kids kind of make their product, understand what it takes to kind of run a booth and then they will be running
their own booth at the Global Village Festival which will be April 11th. And so that um I think is probably all the bullet points there and everything that I have to update you on. >> So
um I I think I did the financial literacy twice on behalf of the Hampshire County Bar Association. So um I think I did it in Northampton High School. So if you need anyone for that um just reach out to me. I'm happy to participate.
>> I will do. If I as Monday or as soon as 8:00 rolls around, you'll probably get an email from me. We were looking for people. >> Um, and I'm sorry, did you say where that was going to take place? >> The reality fair, um, or the game of
real life is going to take place at the Banks Community Center. So, um, and there will be food for kids. We will advertise that most likely pizza if my son gets his way it will be primos. So we'll see. >> And so just making sure that's an early
release day. So like you can advertise on the school's website or you know >> right they um I've shared the flyer with them. They are I think in the works of their channels to share it out with um the middle school and high school. >> Excellent.
as well as with the um youth entrepreneurship one as well. >> Any other questions for Philip? All right. Well, thank you for that update. Mhm. >> Um,
so in terms of town council next steps, it does sound like Cress is up on dispatch. So I think if so my suggestion would be
this for future if we are thinking about wanting to get on a town council agenda. Um, I do believe that Alicia Walker as vice president will have some
sharing of the role of setting the agenda with um, Mandy Johann. So potentially we could have an ally there if we were hoping to get on a meeting agenda
or there is a charter provision that any three counselors can call for an emergency meeting uh related to anything that they want to talk about. Um, so that is potentially a tool that we could use um if we think we can get three
counselors on board and and then it is its own special meeting. So it's not waiting until 11:30 at night to be presenting. So that would be a potential tool that we could use. Um,
so I don't know if we're thinking let's see how dispatch goes for a few months or like maybe hey let's talk about do we want to do this at our retreat like if if that would be a good time to decide since I think the only other thing that
would be coming up after the retreat would be the rob um because I think go has to report back by April. Uh >> I think we're in January and you know
June 30th is not going to be too far away um for another fiscal year. So I think if we can have the opportunity to advocate for Crest budget
Yeah. Um because it's to Deborah's earlier point, Chris is not really going to work if they have a skeleton crew. >> Yeah. So, they're on dispatch and yes,
that will take some doing and some time to fully appreciate how well that's going, but you know, if they're not adequately staffed, they can't really be 100% effective. And so if there's an opportunity to advocate
for appropriate staffing, I think we should try. >> So do we know though when we need to meet with them to to discuss budget? >> So let's see. I think the town manager has to have his budget in by May 1st and
has to have things finalized with like the schools and library by April. Correct. >> Right. So before that um because I because I mean I think I remember when CSWG was doing all of its
recommendations and they presented it was like too late at that point for him to really incorporate anything into and I feel like that was maybe in like the April of the year that does that sound right Deborah? more. >> Well, you're saying for like part two,
>> like No, for the part one, like the first um like when Crest and DEI were originally established. >> Yeah, I don't really remember. >> Okay, >> maybe maybe we can ask our liaison um
and they can better guide us. Yeah. Okay, I can reach out to Holl and just see like given the current landscape and what we've learned, what do you think a good time frame would be to request to be on the agenda?
>> I remember we did um what was it? Who was the the counselor again that we met with who said that obviously there's other strategies too besides just meeting with the town council. So, >> right. >> Um that was Anna. Definitely. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, we also want to kind of
consider that. But I think we need to kind of >> think about all of this, right? >> Right. >> Possible meeting, but also whether it makes sense to reach out to counselors like individual counselors and talk to them. >> Um what would be most effective in >> Yeah.
>> and whether we want to talk to them about anything else besides the budget, >> right? I mean, I think it could be helpful to have and maybe this is a retreat conversation, but to talk about do do each of us take a few individual
counselors to target um and to say like, you know, in this upcoming budget cycle, we want we'd look, you know, we really think this X, Y, and Z are important to fund. Um, and I know one of the other strategies was kind of like piecing out some individual things and perhaps doing
bylaws, which is on the agenda. I think um I would say probably not for tonight at this point, but I did >> send it to you and it is in the packet. So, I think that that means that you could at least send me feedback
individually to say, you know, this looks potentially like the direction we'd want to go in on something. um if you know if you have the time to look at that. But um the thing we have to consider too and
I'm not sure if Camila is here or if she left cuz she had to. But we we can only advocate for a a full budget if we know what a full budget is. >> So I I don't know um if Camila you have um or if you're allowed to share with us
what it would take to fully staff your department. M >> well I can share you my wish list for sure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That way when we're having these conversations we can say you know this is how much 12 or 14 FTEES will cost.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So I mean if that's something that you could get to us by next meeting that would help I think in our individual conversations going forward. Um >> that can be done.
So just in terms of agenda um nine we talked about 10 we're tableabling um 11 is the rob I don't think I think that
go was just formed I know it was on their list of like things that are carrying over from last council session so it is on the agenda, but I don't think they've even like met yet as a newly formed go. Um, but so that I'm
going to say we probably don't have any new information. I don't think there's been any movement since um and it sounded like there's nothing new on the youth empowerment center front. the youth empowerment center. I'm going to reach out to um the town manager and ask him who is it that he's
going to >> assign to attend our meetings and going to ask him yet again because remember I asked him at the town council >> uh meeting directly in regards to it. So >> yeah, >> I'm going to ask him again. I'll send him an email.
>> Perfect. And then 13 was retreat planning. I know we have a date which is excellent. And we have do we have a space? >> So, uh, we do have the bank center. The problem with that is is that there might
be renovations and if there are renovations going to happen, we might get kicked out of that space. Um, so I think we should just in case have an alternative space. The other thing is is the only reason we can access it on a Saturday is because Philip's going to be
there. So, thank you, Phillip. Um uh because uh generally on weekends um their staff's not available both but uh Philip uh is making himself available for us to be there and uh Camila is going to help us with uh the logistical
materials. Um but I just wanted to one confirm we are all set with March 7th. Correct. There's no backing out. The reason I asked this is because I want to contact Pat and Angelica. Um, but I just wanted to make sure that we do have March 7th
um before I contact them. Um, and then um I I had also emailed uh Hala both about um the go and uh the retreat. Um but there's been no response. So I don't know if it's because you know now
there's a switch in terms of the town council, it's a new year and maybe Hollow will not be our liaison. Um but um I mean Allegra, if you're gonna contact her, do you want to ask her? Um I I didn't say what the date was,
>> right? >> Um I will ask her. I I my last conversation with her, she was still interested in being our liaison, so I hope that that will um be able to remain and I will I will reach out and see if
she wants or is able to attend that. Okay. So, the only thing is is um you know, if something happens where we can't do it at the bank center, I know because of open meeting law, there was this issue about possibly not having it at one of our places, but if we get
kicked out at the last minute, uh can we do something about posting it that it's going to be an open meeting at say my house or somebody else's house? >> I is Is it an open meeting? Um, >> it it's posted as an open meeting. We
can't have it as a closed meeting. So, it's posted as an open meeting. >> Yeah. Um, I mean, I think that would be >> fine. >> Yeah. The last I mean, I guess our addresses are all technically
they're on the thing when we get appointed, so it's not somebody >> That's the thing, though. Do you want your address out there, though? Not really, but I mean it's already there. So,
>> um, you know what? When, um, Angelic, >> can I just make a suggestion? Um, I know that Massuda from Massuda's Cafe has uh offered to um have that space available for meetings and it's a really nice
space. Um, one side is the um, sitown meals and she said she would be willing to like close that area off, you know, for a meeting um, just buying the food from her. >> And their food's really good.
>> It is. I love But yes. >> So, we could have that as an alternative space or >> I mean change it to that space there. to just have it there so that Philillip wouldn't have to like go by.
>> Well, I will I will go um and go by there and I'll say Camille uh gave me your name >> and talk to her. Um what is the person >> that's actually her first name? Yes. >> Thank you.
>> I can I can you know >> it's where Andreos was. >> Oh, okay. Gotcha. Gotcha. I haven't been there yet. Oh, it is a wonderful space. The food is amazing and fresh. >> Oh, that gives me a good excuse to go there because I heard the uh desserts were really great.
>> Oh, they are lots of pistachio and Mediterranean and yes, >> baklava cheesecake. >> Definitely have to go there. Okay, thank you. All right. So, um I will then get in touch with both Pat uh and Angelica and see who uh could facilitate and then
Camila I'll have to work with you around an honorarium. >> Okay. So, and then that is one of the things I have to discuss with you is to make sure that they either have a because I there's you know the process make sure that they have like a if they already have a vendor number with the
town that makes it a lot easier. Um and then um yeah, but we can talk about that. Um cuz that'll take, you know, at least a couple weeks before to to set that up, but it can be done.
>> March 7th. It's good that we've got this nailed down. Um and I'll start moving on it now. So, uh, Erica, would you be able to to start with Enhelica first just because since she she facilitated the other one, we already have a rapport with her, you know, in terms of the work
we did with us last time, then she can build upon it and then obviously if she can't then and then Pat, you know, >> I think it's a great idea. >> Absolutely. Um, and so then, um, I'll also flesh out to make this a real agenda. This was just, you know, what we had discussed last time.
>> Yeah. Yeah. >> Perfect. Thank you. All right. Um, so I think we can move on to public comment. Um, if you are in the audience and would like to speak, you can use the raise
hand function and we will bring you into the room. All right, there you are. Hi everyone. >> Can you guys hear me? >> Yes. >> So, thank you all for your time. Uh this
was uh a very productive meeting and I agree with what you know what you all have shared tonight. So, I just have a couple thoughts to put out. Um
I've attended um the the new town council meetings you know by zoom and the feeling is so different in a positive way and wow
election have consequences just to it feels so different and I'm I'm feeling hopeful and excited about about it. And I just want to congratulate
Alicia Walker in her new leadership role. I also want to publicly thank um the progressive counselors and the two independent counselors who
nominated advocated for Alicia Walker to be the president. Um so I want to call out their name. Um let's see. Um, okay. You know who you are. You know,
the four progressive candidates and the independents. Um, in the past, it wouldn't even happen that way. We've always have MS forward leaning some counselors be in the leadership. To
have a change. This year is like really exciting for me. I just want to put that out. Another thing I want to say is that I want to give a big shout out to
AM uh Councelor Amber. Amber. Yep. For several years, I've been pushing for the town government to recognize my group, the Black Business Association of Armist area.
Because in this town we have three business organizations. We have my group BBAA. We have the bed business improvement district which is basically the
lobbying business organization for landlords, commercial landlords in downtown. And then we have the chambers and the other two business organizations. They have
presence in our town website and I've been pushing for that for my group and the our local town government refused to recognize my group until the resident
elected Amber and Amber reached out to me and said, "What are your issues? What are your concerns? You know, I'm here to see what I can do." And I said, Well, I would like to see BBAA on the
town website. And this woman worked magic. I couldn't believe it. She met with the town manager and the next thing she emailed me back I believe the same week and if people now
go to MS town website you you click the business session and you will see black business association. It takes you the link takes you to my organization website.
You know, for my group is a huge win because the powerful folks in this town try to dismiss my group. This is our 10th year that BBAA was created and they
did not succeed in silencing us. I bring this up because you know that is free cash. Some of the upper funds was sent to free cash. So CSSJC you guys are about equity and now
you know I'm pleading to you guys that you should use your platform to continue to advocate for BBAA to get money from free cash which is actually you know some of the upper funds that were directed there.
So, a nightclub got $250,000 that is connected to bed and our group didn't get any money. So, you know, I think you should put in into your agenda because it's all about equity to advocate for my group to get
some funding. There is still money there. and I listened to the presentation of the um money movement
and as a black mom, a black grandmother and someone who have lived in NMS for more than 40 years and I do have a lot of family members in town. They may not bear the same last name as I do due to
marriage and in-laws and stuff. I do have significant amount of family members that attend the public school system and I told them not to not to not to participate because involving police in that program
is just a deterrent to so many black families in this town. I think the police need to do much much better with the adults. They need to make peace with the adults. You know, there's a lot of work to do.
You know, doing the, you know, money movement, you know, I is very like I know it's a good program. I, you know, admire what they're doing, but injecting police because of staffing issue, I I think it's the wrong way to to go about
it. and they're losing out some youth who may benefit with in such program and just listening at the presentation tonight all I heard is defensiveness defensiveness like there's nowhere you know I just felt that the presenters did
not listen to you guys with your concerns I just want to put it out there Camille I want to congratulate you that for all the work you you've done in a very short period that Now, um, Chris is
now getting dispatch call. A lot more work needs to be done, but I just want to recognize that I'm very happy to hear that. And that's all I have to say tonight. Thank you so so much. Oh, one more
thing. One more thing very important also. Somehow from the discussion with the you know BBAA being on on the town website you know so that they can link us. Yeah.
I got um an email from the from the town manager's um secretary uh angela or some yeah reach out to us and said if we're interested in meeting with the planning and
development officer a director that was just newly hired and we met with him Jeffrey B very nice man you know she met with my he met with my bo board members and he
intend to continue relationship with us. So that's another win that the town government finally is recognizing my group and that's what I tell people that you can't give up on something you strongly believe in. People can dismiss
you and just keep on going. Don't let anybody intimidate you. And it's all coming to fruition because of the result of election. Again, it's important that we, you know, people go out and vote whether it's for local, state or
federal. It does matter. What a difference, you know, town council makeup is this year. Super excited. Thank you. >> Thank you, Miss Pat. Thank you, Miss Pat. Um,
So, it is 9:28. Our next meeting will be February 11th at 6:30. Are there any items not anticipated? That's looking like a no. All right. So,
it is 9:28 and I am going to adjourn this meeting. All right. Thank you all. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Goodbye. >> Bye.