Committee Report CR-6
The Civic Unity Committee held a public hearing on July 16, 2009 at six o'clock and ten minutes P.M. in the Jefferson Park Community Center. The hearing was held for the purpose of initiating a community conversation on strengthening the community for a safer neighborhood.
Present at the hearing were Councillor Marjorie Decker, Chair of the Committee, Vice Mayor Sam Seidel, Councillor Henrietta Davis, Councillor David Maher, Councillor Kenneth Reeves, Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Councillor Larry Ward, and City Clerk D. Margaret Drury. Mayor Simmons and Councillor Craig Kelley, who were not able to attend, submitted communications for the record
Present from the City administrative staff were Police Commissioner Robert Haas, Deputy Superintendent Michael Walsh, Christine Levesque, Cambridge Police Department (CPD), Holly Bernier, CPD, J. Desrosiers, CPD, Ellen Semonoff, Assistant City Manager for Human Services (DHSP), Michelle Farnum, Director of Youth Services Division, DHSP, and Susan Richards, Coordinator of Out of School Time, DHSP. Also present were Gloria Leipzig, Director of Operations, Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA), David Degou, who will begin the position of Director of Security for the CHA in September, and Elaine DeRosa, Executive Director, CEOC.
Councillor Decker convened the hearing and explained the purpose. She said that this is the first one of a series of community meetings on the issue of strengthening the community for a safer neighborhood. This meeting is a collaborative meeting of the Civic Unity Committee and the Police Commissioner and his department to initiate this conversation. She wanted to begin here in Jefferson Park because this community has suffered in recent violence and its aftermath. Councillor Decker invited members of the public to comment.
James Williamson, 1000 Jackson Place, Apt. 45, stated that last summer was the first time he walked by the McCrehan pool on Labor Day and found it closed. If we are trying to find ways to keep the neighborhood peaceful, we need to keep recreation resources open all summer. If the State will not pay for it the City should find a way to keep it open, at least this year.
Kenedy Mondesir, 1000 Jackson Place #32, stated that this is the first time he has seen this kind of violence and loss of life happening. Residents are afraid to let their children go outside. What is the City going to do about this?
Sister Joan Marie Coughlin, 7 Jefferson Park Apt. 59, member of the North Cambridge Crime Task Force, stated that she would like an update on the shooting and she wants to know what the CHA is going to do. She spoke in support of keeping the pool open.
Tom Dillon, 75 Jackson Circle, said that there are "No Loitering" signs. If people are hanging out after eight p.m., they should be moved along.
Commissioner Haas said that with respect to the homicide, the police do not have any information about the number of people involved. There has been stepped up police activity around this neighborhood. He stressed that it is very important for people to call the police if they see suspicious activity. He emphasized that they do not have to give their names. He stated that if a caller does give their name but does not want police to come to their house, they can say so and that request will be honored.
Commissioner Haas said this year is different from the past years. There are three scenarios playing out. The first two shooting incidents here are not connected to each other. Additionally, neither is connected to the Brookford Street incident. The police pretty much know what went on and who was involved in all three. The police are aggressively pursuing this investigation.
Commissioner Haas said that at the same time police are developing more relationships with the youth of the community. There are three initiatives going on. The CPD Youth/Family Services Unit is involved along with the DHSP, youth workers and youth centers. These are very structured programs. Officer Michael Danilek described a focus group they held with neighborhood youth. The police asked them what police could do to make them safer, and they said they really wanted night basketball. So they have established "Night Court" basketball games at 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. At the end of the night patrol officers and youth workers get the kids out safely. So for two nights a week, we know what they are doing and that they are engaged in safe and healthy activities.
Jim Cusack, Yerxa Road, stated that years ago the night basketball started at midnight. There were no problems that summer.
Karen Clinger, Porter Square, asked whether any girls play basketball. The answer was not yet. Ms. Semonoff said that DHSP has a fair amount of girls only programming as well.
Commissioner Haas described the plan for collaborative meetings with the managers of large housing developments, and also bringing tenant councils into this for a real triad of collaboration to stop a small minority of people who are engaging in violence.
Councillor Decker then requested Assistant City Manager Ellen Semonoff to provide an update of DHSP's role in violence prevention. Ms. Semonoff described the DHSP programs. She said that since Commissioner Haas arrived, the CPD and DPHS have been working together in a variety of areas. Several weeks ago DHSP employees and police officers knocked on every door in Jefferson Park to provide information about City resources. As a result, the Center for Families and the Youth Centers got several calls from residents. Ms. Semonoff said that DHSP intends to continue to reach out.
Ms. Farnum then described the youth center programs. In the past the youth centers have not kept their doors open until midnight, but this is something DHSP is trying this summer.
and free soccer nights for 6-12 year olds, from six to eight p.m. Thereafter, Carolyn Rodriguez, Peabody School Neighborhood Schools Program described their programs.
Mr. Mandesir asked whether the night basketball program will end after the summer. This is the first time he has heard of something like this in 24 years in this neighborhood. Officer Danilek said that although this particular program will end after the summer, the police are using this opportunity to identify at risk boys and young men and helping them to get the attention and services that they need. Commissioner Haas said that this is an ongoing process. Officer Danilek is specifically dedicated to youth activities.
Councillor Ward said that after the summer, school is going to happen, and he hopes that kids will be home doing homework at night. He said that the only way that anything to going is going to happen is through collaborative efforts.
James Williamson said that the Cambridge Health Alliance closed the clinic which is in a CHA building. He would like to know whether the building can be used for community purposes.
Mr. Cusack suggested putting basketball at Russell Field. He also suggested that the police promote an anonymous tip line. He asked why the annual Night Out Against Crime cannot take place at Russell Field. Ms. Semonoff said that the event was held at Russell Field during the rehab of the Peabody School, but there were safety issues connected with the need to run power lines much further and other connectivity issues.
Susan Richards, Brickworks, said more parent communication would be very helpful. She has a 13 year old and she would like to hear from other parents as to what are the cultural norms for this age. For example, how late can their kids stay out? Peer support is an important resource for parents.
Marie Jules, 60 Jackson Circle, stated that she would like to have more security around. When she came from church the other day she observed some adult men having a conversation about drug dealing. There are kids who have to stay inside. Adult residents cannot feel safe sitting outside. Most of the crime is committed by outside kids, not resident kids.
Sister Joan said that she has had an unlisted number but when she calls the police department, her number pops up on their screen. Councillor Decker suggested that Commissioner Haas think about a police campaign to let people know that they can make anonymous calls safely.
Janice Plant, North Cambridge, stated that she has heard of kids getting pulled over by police because of the color of their shirts and that certain colors are "gang colors."
Councillor Decker said that comment raises an important point. She asked the Commissioner what is the best for way for a parent to deal with police disrespect to one of their kids. Commissioner Haas said that the parent should call and ask for the shift commander. Then ask why the police stopped their son. If is involves youth, please call the Youth and Family Services Unit, whose emphasis has shifted to the evenings. The summer program they are doing right now is called "Building Relationships."
Elizabeth St. Justin, 95 Jackson Circle, said that her sons have been victims of crime; one was shot. She wants to feel safer.
Claudia Smyth, 81 Jackson Circle, expressed concern about safety especially at night. Mr. Dillon said that he would like the patrol cars to come through more often.
Roc Noelsaint, 58 Jackson Circle, expressed concern about what the City is doing to help kids get back on track after they have gotten off track.
Gloria Leipzig, Director of Operations, CHA, said that the CHA takes resident safety very seriously. There is collaboration and communication with the police. The CHA is also working on improving lighting and camera systems. In addition, the CHA is very serious about lease enforcement. If a member of a household commits a violent crime or a drug-related crime, they will go to court to evict the perpetrator. Ms. Leipzig announced that David Degou, former Cambridge Police Superintendent, will become the new CHA Public Safety Administrator.
Councillor Toomey thanked all the residents for coming to the meeting and urged residents to continue to organize to have their voices heard. He encouraged residents to take advantage of the many resources that Cambridge offers.
Vice Mayor Seidel emphasized the importance of building a level of trust and related his experience when he called in a suspicious incident. He did not feel like he had the options to not give his name.
Lee Pedro, 126 Jackson Street, President of the Tenant Council, stated that she was very happy that several members of the City Council attended this meeting. She is very tired of hearing and seeing negative comments about public housing tenants.
In response to a question about cameras, Ms. Leipzig stated that the CHA is working out the best usage and placement of cameras. She emphasized that not all of the crimes that are going on in this area are committed by the residents.
Roc Noisant, 58 Jackson Circle, said that there are cameras in the circle - two rotating cameras. Two years ago you could not live down by that circle. Since the cameras and the police have come, they have been able to sit outside and not be afraid.
Nadege Charles, 59 Jackson Circle, stated that she has a 19 year old son. The kids causing the problems are not for Cambridge.