2008-02-07 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minutes

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RECEWED TOW rLr HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE - ' MINUTES' tJ G, i -t, rA S S February 7, 2008, 7:30PM at Police Station First Floor CommunityMMOUG 20 Q -.A-x 3 6 Present: Margaret Soli, Chair; Lori Hodin, , Nancy Najmi, Chief J Cormier, P. Kelley, and R. Jones, members; also present Kim Honetschlager, Priscilla Ryan and Jack Downey. Kim Honetschlager addressed the committee because she became concerned when, at the Martin Luther King Day meeting, she learned about the incident involving Irene and Ed Toland and that Irene had been arrested and taken to court on account of a traffic violation. Kim is concerned because of her personal knowledge of and high regard for the Tolands and whether this is another instance of racial profiling such as those alleged to have occurred in the past. She wanted to know what happened and whether this committee was doing anything or should do anything. Margaret advised that Irene was in court on January 30 and the case was put over to March because she has a new lawyer who needed to obtain some discovery concerning the event. Chief Cormier explained what is claimed to have happened in that Irene was stopped because the registration plate on her vehicle was obscured and then, when requested to produce her license and registration, refused to do so. The Chief said the officer involved claims she spent 15 minutes trying to convince her to produce the documents but she continued to refuse to do so; the officer had no choice. The chief said the officer did not know prior to stopping the vehicle that Irene was black. She could not observe the driver clearly because of tinted windows and other circumstances. Kim commented that in the past such events were publicized and she wondered whether this should happen now or if something should be done. Paul commented that Irene had refused to produce her license or registration because she believed and had been informed that one could not be required to produce such identification unless one was first informed of an offense that was alleged, but that, while that rule may apply in some circumstances such as when one is stopped while walking along the street, Massachusetts has a statute which requires that a driver of a motor vehicle produce such documents when asked and this makes a difference. Paul said in his view the incident was unfortunate and the result of a mistake so that he had hoped it could be dropped or settled. Chief Cormier said they were obliged to go forward and prosecute the matter in order to protect the town from potential civil liability. It was noted that no other incidents of potential racial profiling have been brought to the attention of the Committee. Jack Downey next set forth the issue which concerned him. He lives on Whittier Road and has been bothered for some time by the construction noise at the new high school. He was off on the Martin Luther King Holiday and expected to able relax in peace at home but was awakened early by construction work. He knew they were required to have a permit under the by-law and contacted the police. He became concerned that by granting a permit on this holiday without consulting the neighbors showed a lack of sensitivity and apparently the police felt he was accusing the department of racism. Chief Cormier explained that he routinely denies request for such permits on Sundays or holidays unless there is an emergency but in this case he felt it was necessary or appropriate because the construction work at issue had to be done because of the upcoming election to take place at the high school field house. Jack Downey acknowledged that this had been explained to him, he was satisfied with the explanation and had not intended to raise an issue of racism. Lori Hodin explained the exhibit, Choosing to Participate, at the Boston Public Library which has been produced by Facing History and Ourselves. The exhibition, which will be