2005-06-02 Human Relations Advisory Committee Minutes

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J -C t HUMAN RELATIONS ADVISORY COMMITTEE i 3'. MINUTES June 2, 2005 7:30PM at Police Station First Floor Community Room L! Gi B 13 Present: Margaret Soli, Chair, Chief J. Cormier, C. McDonald, N. Namji and P. Kelley members. C. McDonald inquired about the new housing which was underway. It was reported that Johnson Woods off West Street was to be high end condominiums and at Spence farm apartments were to be constructed with town houses in front. It had not been learned whether METCO families would be in the lottery for any affordable units. Margaret reported that 4 students had applied for Anytown. It was decided to consider the program and filmstrip on Islam and Democracy for October and to contact Bob Brown to bring it to the attention of the Reading Clergy Association. C. McDonald reported on some Neo-Nazi activity in Lexington. And said he had a connection with the person who had made the film The Letter about Somali immigrants and was connected with AFD (Arab Film Distributors) whom he could contact concerning possible future activities. There was a brief discussion concerning earlier programs on Islam at the Library. It was decided to put off the issue of Bullying for the present and that the next meeting would be on September 1, before Labor Day. The minutes of the meeting of April 7 were approved. There was no quorum at the meeting of May 12 so that it was not necessary to approve minutes. For the remainder of the meeting the members heard from Chief Cormier relating to the committee and the department generally. The department is understaffed, several officers are at the academy and 2 are on disability. He hope is to have the police perceived as aggressive in law enforcement and as not disrespectful to the public. He plans to lead by example and is still in the process of meeting with the staff. He has met with the patrol officers and dispatchers and will be meeting with the command staff. He explained the staffing, special details, and reserves which Reading has done away with. Homeland Security has made funds available and the State is gathering crime data for analysis. The department lacks good Spanish language facility and it is necessary to understand cultural or language issues, a matter he will be looking into. Margaret inquired about minority hiring and he explained the two different lists available through Civil Service and how the department tries to have an even balance. He explained how there is an exam only every two years which creates a problem for applicants, particularly those having attended law enforcement programs at colleges and the preference by additional points for veterans, and disabled veterans siblings of an officer killed in the line of duty. He gave a fine explanation of the department and his plans in carrying out his new position as chief. At present he thought the committee could best help be providing information to the public and indicated that he intended to play a role with the committee similar that of former Chief Silva. There was a discussion about the appearance of hate groups in Lexington, an anti-gay group in Dracut and the assignment of 4 officers to Regional Response programs for such issues. The meeting adjourned at 9:30PM. Respectfully submitted, Paul A. Kelley, Secretary.