Committee Report CR-5
The purpose of the meeting was to examine the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing through the lens of class and culture.
Present at the meeting were Vice Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee, Councillor Craig Kelley, Councillor Minka vanBeuzekom, Councillor Leland Cheung, Jack Albert, Joe Wilson, Deputy Superintendents, Cambridge Police Department (CPD), Brian Corr, Executive Director, Peace Commission, Neal Alpert, Aide to Vice Mayor Simmons and Paula M. Crane, Administrative Assistant, City Clerk's Office.
Vice Mayor Simmons convened the meeting and explained the purpose. She stated that based on her experience she wanted to put questions with solutions and recommendations to forward to the city administration. The meeting was convened in response to the recent Boston Marathon bombings, which were carried out by two men of Muslim faith. Vice Mayor Simmons stated that she wanted to determine how Cambridge could hold community-wide discussions after these kinds of events without them devolving into racial or religious stereotyping or feeding into a narrative that links Muslims with terrorist activities.
Vice Mayor Simmons asked if there is a point person on the Cambridge Police Department for answering questions from the community, or someone who distributes information to the community, in the time during and immediately after events like the Boston Marathon bombing. Deputy Superintendent Albert answered that in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, Dan Riviello, Communications Specialist, Cambridge Police Department, was the person who facilitated information that the Cambridge Police Department needed to get out to the community. He noted that Mr. Riviello worked closely with Commissioner Haas regarding information that was available to the community. Vice Mayor Simmons asked if Mr. Riviello's contact information is readily available on the CPS web page. Deputy Superintendent Albert answered in the affirmative.
Brian Corr noted that Ini Tomeu is the Public Information Officer for the City of Cambridge but Mr. Riviello has more to do with information as it pertains to distributing information following events such as the Boston Marathon bombing. Vice Mayor Simmons stated that she understood the role of Ms. Tomeu but noted that she feels that there are too many points of contact during fast-developing situations, and that is not always clear to her where the community should be looking for timely information. She stated that, while Mr. Riviello and Ms. Tomeu are undoubtedly proficient in their duties, even making two separate phone calls for different types of information could be difficult in times of crisis, and she would like to see one person having the responsibility to disseminate information. She then raised the notion of there being a public information telephone hotline that people could call during times of emergency, in which people could get all pertinent information with just one phone call.
Vice Mayor Simmons asked if Police Department information was on the city website as it related to the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing. Deputy Superintendent Wilson stated that the CPD website had updated tweets and information from Mr. Riviello. Vice Mayor Simmons stated that she did not believe there was any information from the Cambridge Public Schools or the Cambridge School Department on the city webpage, and she said it was frustrating that one would need to go to the School website for school information, the Fire Department's website for information about the Fire Department, the CPD website for information from the police. She said there needs to be one central place where all of that information can be viewed.
century issue that is being grappled with. She noted that in the past, information was received via newspaper or phone tree. She noted that putting information on the city website with links to specific issues would be helpful. Vice Mayor Simmons stated that some people do not use social media, and that there are people who are more likely to verbally seek out information. She stated the need for a centralized and effective way for alerting people to what is going on in their community.
Councillor vanBeuzekom stated that she and Councillor Kelley recently visited the City of Cambridge's Emergency Communications Department. She stated that Director George Fosque stated that people should only utilize the 911 phone number in the event of an emergency. She noted that there is a business number at the Cambridge Police Department for regular business and non-emergency issues.
Councillor Kelley stated his belief that it becomes a dangerous situation when mistaking information for action. He noted that CPD can only do so much before their efforts are wasted, and he suggested that the CPD could potentially waste valuable time and resources in tracking down and doling out information to City Councillors and the public, rather than devoting that time and focus to dealing with the situation at hand. He stated that city departments cannot have all nine City Councillors calling about different issues. He stated that expectations about ongoing events may not be met in these cases. He noted that City staff needs to follow guidelines and that City Councillors should have certain expectations of what the lines of communication should be. Vice Mayor Simmons stated that she would like clarification as to who that one contact person should be. Vice Mayor Simmons suggested that she and Councillor Kelley had a difference of opinion on this matter, and she reaffirmed her statement that she would like clarification as to who that one contact person should be.
Councillor Cheung stated that he disagreed with Councillor Kelley, and that he believed information is action. He stated that it was action when he got the shelter-in-place request from City administration. He stated that he was able to pass along information to residents. He stated that information helps make action easier. He noted that if there were a centralized location where information could be accessed, there would not be the need to contact city staff. He stated that CPD tweets were helpful. He noted the importance of using different devices and means to receive and disseminate information. These mediums need to be utilized when it comes to public safety. The reality is that the population receives information in these ways. Vice Mayor Simmons stated that the City Council needs to figure out a centralized way to receive information and she agreed with Councillor Cheung's assessment that the City Councillors need to be better informed, as their constituents tend to look to them for information and guidance during times of crisis.
Ms. Detterman stated that she appreciates the various assets of the information. She stated that when one talks about a point person, she thinks about not only kinds of information but confidence in the knowledge that a person has support within the community. The next step is knowing where that support comes from. It is important to know a single phone number for guidance and assistance is available after a traumatic event. She stated that the point person must be skilled.
Vice Mayor Simmons asked if there is a strategic plan in place by the City administration or the CPD to diffuse any potential racial or religious tension within the community. She stated that if there is such a plan, she was not aware of it. Brian Corr stated that he is not aware of a strategic plan although there is the Community Response Network which is comprised of representatives from the Peace Commission, the Department of Public Health, the Police Department, the School Department, and Human Services Department who work together on a regular basis. It is a team that meets regularly. Vice Mayor Simmons asked who would be the person to call the team together. Mr. Corr stated that any member of the Community Response Network can call a meeting as necessary. He noted that this is how the Riverside Trauma Center came about. Vice Mayor Simmons stated that she was pleased to hear about the Community Response Network but noted that she would like to see more organization, and that she would like to have a more concrete idea about who comprises this team, what its organizational structure is like, and who to contact to initiate its meeting in times of crisis.
Councillor Kelley stated that when he thinks of immediate action to an immediate threat, he does not envision a group of people getting together to talk about racial tension within the community.
Councillor vanBeuzekom stated that she feels as if the long-term strategy is happening much more slowly than she expected. She stated that it is important to ensure that people feel that the City of Cambridge cares about the issues of potential racial or religious tension. She noted the diversity in the CPD and city staff, and she also likens this discussion to a prior Civic Unity Committee meeting that touched upon the City's and the CPD's desire to increase outreach to the LGBT community.
Vice Mayor Simmons stated that the Civic Unity Committee has always attempted to be proactive as opposed to reactive, and that this was one of the core missions of the Civic Unity Committee back when it was an independent department. She states that she is not suggesting that the City revert to having a Civic Unity Committee as a department, but that the Committee's mission has traditionally been focused upon being more proactive. She stated that the Boston Marathon bombing has brought these issues back to the forefront. She stated that she was surprised when attending vigils that some people have had "those people" attitudes, and she relayed the story of speaking with a member of the community who is Muslim who reported that she felt the stares of strangers on a local bus immediately following the Boston Marathon bombings, and that this woman had overheard some people saying vaguely prejudiced remarks about Muslims that she took as slightly threatening. This woman reported to Vice Mayor Simmons that she had no idea whom to report her concerns to, since it did not seem to rise to the level of calling 911.
Councillor Kelley stated his belief that this is not a discussion in which the CPD needs to be involved, , and that he was troubled by the inference that the CPD should be tasked with crafting a policy for how to ease racial or religious tensions within the community He stated his concern that the question is being mis-framed. Vice Mayor Simmons agreed that it is not up to the CPD to come up with a model but the CPD is always a beneficial tool when talking about issues that affect the community. Councillor Kelley stated the police play a valuable role in the aftermath of such an event but felt as if the committee needs to be careful when determining the role of the CPD in these discussions.
Councillor Cheung stated that the CPD has been very successful in "going outside the box." He noted the CPD proactive work with the homeless and community policing. These models have been successful and well-received by the community. He stated his belief that the CPD should be involved in the discussion. Councillor Kelley stated that the CPD is part of solution but it is not what they are in charge of or should be responsible for. He stated that he would not want the CPD to think that they are required to come up with a plan. The greater authority lies somewhere else.
Vice Mayor Simmons stated that as it relates to dealing with the events and aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, was there something that was seen, experienced, etc. that can be used to grow out a model that could be beneficial to Cambridge? She asked that if, when working with Watertown and other city/state agencies, any knowledge gained from this experience could be used in developing civic unity. Deputy Superintendent Albert stated that once everything transpired and law enforcement had an idea of who was involved, Commissioner Haas reached out to the mosque in Cambridge. He made it a point to assign resources to the mosque. The CPD assisted at vigils throughout the city. The goal is to ensure that the mosque community feels safe in Cambridge. He noted that the CPD works on building relationships within the community to ensure maximum impact when working with these groups.
Vice Mayor Simmons asked what steps can be taken to foster positive relationships within the Cambridge community. Deputy Superintendent Albert stated that great success comes from outreach. Interaction and mutual knowledge-sharing are important tools.
Councillor vanBeuzekom stated that an additional resource when thinking about outreach to different communities or organizations is via the Cambridge Public Schools. She noted the different clubs and organizations at CRLS and stated that this could be a thread to fostering relationships. She asked how the city has supported the gay and lesbian community? Vice Mayor Simmons stated that outreach has typically taken place in segments and has not been part of a citywide, organized process. She stated that it has been done is small pieces and this is part of the problem. Councillor vanBeuzekom stated that ultimately part of the solution is the thread that will link sectors together. Deputy Superintendent Albert stated that he has never seen the city stronger. He noted that it is an unwritten rule that all the agencies collaborate. Vice Mayor Simmons agreed that there has been some exemplary outreach work done throughout the City, but she also stated that predictability and organization are key.
Brian Corr stated that the City Council sets goals that speak to the underlying issues. He stated that there are a number of people and departments who work together to engage the community as a whole. These groups overlap with other structures. He stated that while it is not a formal "plan," there is a multi-dimensional framework. Vice Mayor Simmons agreed, but she also stated that unless she and the other City Councillors could see this plan as a written document, it was more of a conceptual idea held by various individuals, and that she feels this work would be bolstered by having it actually documented in some fashion. She stated her concern that, absent such documentation, some aspect of this framework and some of the ongoing community outreach could be lost by the departure of any individuals that are responsible for it.
Councillor Kelley noted that even as a City Councillor it is difficult to engage people. He stated that expectations may be unreasonable for a certain level of building community in a city of over 100,000 people, and that we may have reached a limit in what we can do. He stated that Cambridge has been pro-active when thinking of community-building.
Lynda Detterman stated the importance of not being too under-organized or too over-organized. You do not want to lose fluidity of creativity. She stated that documentation of available resources and networks would be very helpful in letting us know what already exists, and of what might be fine-tuned. She stated that the Civic Unity Committee may be the place to pull all of the threads together. It is important not to lose the quality of fluidity while capturing information. Vice Mayor Simmons stated that it would be informative and helpful to have a document compiling all resources readily available to the public on the city website. She believes this is a very good starting point to build on.
WHEREAS: In an effort to pull together the City resources most needed in the immediate aftermath of a crisis, such as after a shooting or an event like the Boston Marathon bombings, representatives from the Police Department, the Peace Commission, the Department of Public Health, the School Department, and the Human Services Department have been developing a Community Response Network that is focused upon community healing. This network has been established to determine what City services are needed, and to determine how to deploy these services in a collaborative and cohesive manner; and
WHEREAS: A meeting of the Community Response Network can be called to order by any of its members at any time, and it meets regularly to plan for the various types of situations that might arise within Cambridge that would require a multi-department response; and
WHEREAS: A consensus was reached by attendees at the Civic Unity Committee meeting held on June 5, 2013, that it would be beneficial to place the mission, composition, and contact information of the members of the Community Response Network in writing, so as to increase the effectiveness of this entity, and to ensure that the Community Response Network can remain operational even after the departure of those who have established it; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with all relevant City personnel to document the mission, composition, operational structure, and contact information of the Community Response Network in a document to be presented to the City Council.