Committee Report CR-7

Present at the meeting were Vice Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Committee, Councillor Leland Cheung, Robert Haas, Commissioner, Christine Elow, Deputy Superintendent, Christina Giacobbe, Chief Administrative Officer, Cambridge Police Department (CPD), Alexandra Donovan, Violence Prevention Coordinator, Cambridge Public Health Department,  Brian Corr, Executive Secretary, Police Review and Advisory Board, Matt Nelson, Chief of Staff to Mayor Davis, Neal Alpert, Aide to Vice Mayor Simmons, and Paula Crane, Administrative Assistant, City Clerk's Office.

Also present were Acacia Nunes, Cambridge Chronicle, Jeffrey Schloman, Tim Severy, Director of Community Programs, East End House, Nancy O'Connell, Peter Daly, Executive Director, Homeowners Rehab Inc., and Jamie Ward.

Vice Mayor Simmons opened the meeting and stated that the Civic Unity Committee meeting would discuss what proactive measures the city and the CPD are undertaking to diffuse violence before it erupts.  She stated the need to seek ways to get the community and the churches more involved to buck the trend of increased violence during the summer.  She noted that the Civic Unity Committee had made four recommendations and requests in 2011; that a point person be established by the CPD who would be a liaison to the City Council and to the community who would be responsible for releasing information after any given "incident" or situation, better communication by the CPD regarding their work and thoughts with the community by holding a yearly or twice-yearly community meeting or the release of a report, sensitivity training for all Cambridge police officers  in terms of how officers interact with people of different races, ethnic backgrounds, gender, sexual orientation/identification and age and whether paid details that are being performed by personnel from other agencies are trained by the CPD and what that training consists of.  Deputy Superintendent Elow stated that there are a number of collaborations that are ongoing and that all of these collaborations are being conducted with sister agencies.

Deputy Superintendent Elow stated that she has been conducting training around procedural justice.  She noted that the CPD Fair and Partial Training program does address biases and teaches how to keep biases in check.  She noted that all officers have been trained.  She stated that the City has been engaged in conversations with all of Middlesex County and that training has been well-received.  Vice Mayor Simmons questioned how many of these training programs have been conducted.  Deputy Superintendent Elow stated that there have been sixteen trainings through the in-service training cycle and two trainings at the regional academies which touch approximately seventy-five officers in that program.  This program will also be brought to the Lowell Regional Academy.  Vice Mayor Simmons stated that it is important to hear of this work and that the average citizen does not know of the work that is being done.  She noted that this was the first time she was hearing of it, and she imagined that most of her colleagues on the City Council likely had not heard of this work either.  She stated that it is important for the Police Department to let the citizens know that these issues and others are being addressed.  Deputy Superintendent Elow noted that she is working in collaboration with Brian Corr to get community training put in place but that this is in the very early stages of planning .  She stated that it is important to educate the community in some fashion.  Commissioner Haas stated that it is important to note that there needs to be a partnership between the police and the community.  He stated that information needs to be given to the CPD by members of the community so they can break patterns and trends.  He commented that community tips and information drives the police department impact.  Vice Mayor Simmons stated that when the community has the mentality of us versus them it takes a sustained effort to break down the barrier and build the bridge.

Brian Corr stated that in his role as the Executive Secretary of the Police Review and Advisory Board he has been able to attend training and provide feedback after-the-fact.  He spoke of the Tools for Tolerance initiative which looks at issues of bias, profiling, and officer reaction and decision-making.  He noted that he was part of the pre-training to see how it might work in Cambridge.  He commented that it was interesting to see how different people react to situations.  He noted that the feedback has been worked into the trainings within the CPD.  He stated that Tools for Tolerance was effective because it raised issues in a way that civilians and officers can both see and understand.  He stated that to be able to bring this information back to the CPD and to give his personal perspective has been very rewarding.  Deputy Superintendent Elow stated that the feedback that has been received has been very positive.  Vice Mayor Simmons noted that because Cambridge is an extremely diverse city, issues need to be looked at in a broad sense and she suggested that pre-course and post-course  feedback from the police officers would be useful as it would help the CPD determine the impact and benefits of the course.

Commissioner Haas stated that much of this work is in the infancy stages.  He noted that Cambridge has developed a lot of the curriculum from scratch.  He noted that representatives from the CPD have been attending conferences regarding procedural justice and that great groundwork has been done.  Deputy Superintendent Elow stated that there is a cultural shift and officers are being asked to provide more information to both the person they are interacting with as well as bystanders, to provide more context for their actions.

Vice Mayor Simmons then moved to the topic of the Willow Street shooting and violence in the summer months when there is typically a spike in violence.  She inquired as to what measures have been taken to diffuse violence and in what ways engaging the community and churches can change the trend.  She commented that in the midst of the Willow Street incident it was mentioned that a community forum would be held after the funeral of the victim.  She questioned whether this forum will take place.  She noted that when she walked through the high school after the incident, she spoke to a number of students who said that they want the focus of the forum to come from the students.  Vice Mayor Simmons stated that she submitted a City Council order on June 11, 2012 for a community forum calling for a youth-driven discussion on violence in the community.  She asked what the CPD is doing around the discussion of violence.  Commissioner Haas stated that the CPD, Human Services Department, the Cambridge Health Alliance and Brian Corr have participated in discussions about the aftermath of a traumatic event in the community.  He noted that the CPD has learned a lot and that they are learning that what was done in the past was counter-productive.  Brian Corr stated that the Response Network has been pulled together.  He noted that the common response is therapeutic in nature but that can exacerbate fears and worries.  He stated that in the aftermath of the shooting it was important to show the students that support staff is present.  He stated that he sat in on Crisis Response Team meetings, and helped to reinforce the message of support while at the same time looking forward to the goal of returning to normalcy.  He stated that many people were traumatized by this incident because people are very connected in Cambridge.  There were many different people who were touched directly such as teachers and friends of the victims.  He noted that it is a work in progress but a very positive step to have the response network.  He stated that the response went well but could have been better.  The response team is trying to capture what was done right so that this information can be shared with others.

Alexander Donovan stated that a tremendous amount of people that showed up at the high school after the incident.  She stated that she found that the students liked the community response.  She visited the youth centers and spoke about grief and trauma and participated in a conference call to multiple youth centers to work with staff about how to talk to the kids, and how to recognize signs of grief and trauma even when children are not forthcoming about experiencing those feelings.  She noted that the network is in the process of coming together and proactivity is very important.  Vice Mayor Simmons stated that she is pleased to hear about the response network but stated that she feels that it did not appear to be very organized.  She stated that she believes that an ombudsman or point person should be appointed because she had to make three or four phone calls to find only basic information, such as victims' names, funeral information, which hospitals victims may be located and where to direct people for various types of counseling and assistance.  She stated that there needs to be a hub where all the action comes and questioned if that person should be a designated person from the CPD.  She would like to be able to direct people to one person who will be able to dispense accurate and important information.

Councillor Chueng stated that Somerville participates in a Reverse 311 system which notifies participants of different types of information including road closures, community events and emergencies.  He noted that this may be another venue to get information dispersed.  Vice Mayor Simmons noted that it is very important to have a centralized way of getting information to the community.  She asked for information about the Response Team.  Commissioner Haas stated that the Response Team is very structured, even if it does not outwardly appear to be.  He noted that there is a steering committee which meets regularly.  He stated that much work has been done by the Response Team.  He comments that the Willow Street incident was complicated and despite that complication, coordination between City departments was remarkable.  He stated that many decisions were not made right away but the CPD was in close contact with the family while also realizing the concerns of the larger community as well.  He stated that there were meetings at the high school with the CPD and staff and the work was structured and well-coordinated.  He noted that tweaking of the response will be evolutionary as the City moves forward.  Vice Mayor Simmons recommended that if the response network is something that will be put forward to respond to crises in the city, she would ask that someone from the committee put something in writing to the City Council so that they are aware of the work that is being done and how this Response Team actually functions.  Commissioner Haas stated that the CPD is developing a series of forums and looking to boards and commissions to be a feedback mechanism to the CPD.

Councillor Cheung stated that the CPD has done an excellent job going out into the community.  He spoke of the Cambridgeport shooting and stated that he only saw approximately twenty community members.  He stated that he believes that the police are clearly making the effort for outreach with the community.  He stated that the challenge is to get residents to realize that it is their responsibility to work with the CPD.  Deputy Superintendent Elow stated that after Trevon Martin shooting there was a meeting at the Gately Youth Center and kids talked about their feelings.  She noted that the meeting was arranged through the youth centers.  She noted that approximately seventy-five young people attended this meeting.

Vice Mayor Simmons stated that before the summer is over and heading into the fall she would like to have a discussion with the teenagers about what they feel and think and give them the opportunity to share their ideas with the city's leaders.  She noted that when talking with one CRLS student at the Career Resource Center, he stated that the kids don't know the police officers.  He did not know about the Walk in My Shoes forum at the Moore Youth Center that had recently taken place.  This was a valuable opportunity for relationship-building that this student was not aware of.  She stated that this conversation was the impetus behind the youth-driven discussion that she would like to hold for youth.  She affirmed that this forum needs to be as youth-driven as possible.  Vice Mayor Simmons also said that it is important that the CPD make a sustained effort to reach out to the youth, and not just make the extra push after various incidents.

Jamie Ward stated that she is pleased to hear about the response at the high school immediately after the Willow Street incident.  She stated that she knows seniors at the high school and knows that from this very small group of students that they were pleased with the response of the people who came to the high school.  She spoke of the previous comment regarding the return to "normalcy" and she is questioned what normalcy is for adolescents in Cambridge.  She noted that when it comes to teenagers, timing is everything.  She stated that kids were talking a lot after incident and her fear is that in that period of calming down from the incident, kids figure out what you can and what you cannot talk about in front of adults.  She worries about having lost an opportunity for kids to be honest about what "normalcy" looks like in Cambridge.  She wonders how many kids are going to come forward and have an honest conversation.  She stated that she was not being accusatory but that stated that all situations are fluid and people are moving in the best direction they can in the moment.  She would like to think about how to be more nimble, particularly since we are dealing with adolescents who can feel very deeply about situations and feel equally deep about holding back information if they feel it is going to be hurtful that they identify a person and then feel they are in need of protection.  Brian Corr stated that when he referred to "normalcy," it was looking at how to make sure that students have the counseling and psychological support that is needed yet still move on to graduation and be able to enjoy that experience in the midst of the circumstances.  He stated that it more about ensuring that structures are in place so as they are ready to move forward, people can transition back into routines.  Ms. Ward stated that the senior students felt that that was done extremely well and they were appreciative of living in Cambridge.  She stated that the students felt taken care of.  As it relates to the youth-driven forum, Vice Mayor Simmons stated that the students need to feel a level of ownership to the degree that they will come forward and talk.  She stated that it is important to acknowledge the need for this type of conversation.

Vice Mayor Simmons stated that several years ago there was a meeting with management companies and housing officials to discuss the safety of neighborhoods from the perspective of the residents' building or the development.  Mr. Peter Daly, HRI, stated that the CPD does a great job working with the different housing agencies.  He noted that there is a level of frustration in that residents do not get involved to the degree that HRI would like, and that residents seem more likely to report suspicious activity to their building managers (who may not be in much of a position to act on this information) than to report such activity to the CPD.  He stated that a hotline number is given out but that it does not seem to be working.  He then pointed out positive examples of neighborhoods and communities working together with the CPD.  He stated that at 808 Memorial Drive, residents sponsor National Night Out and police mingle with residents.  He stated that there is a sense of cooperation.  He stated that there are less problematic issues when collaboration is achieved.  He stated that the non-profits and the Cambridge Housing Authority are meeting within the next week and questioned if they should be meeting as a group with the CPD.  Vice Mayor Simmons stated that the City Council needs to be involved in that conversation as well.  She questioned how to identify a problem family in particular buildings and strategies to move them along.  Mr. Daly stated that sometimes it is the resident who is the problem but sometimes it is a visitor to a resident.  He noted that HRI has very good lawyers and that HRI is very willing to remove problem tenants, but that hard evidence is needed when trying to remove problem tenants.  He stated that other residents need to be willing to go to court and testify against offenders.  He stated that the courts will respond when given proper evidence.

Councillor Cheung stated that by the time the drug deal happens, much preventative work has been missed.  He spoke of a recent conversation with a resident who felt that when she called the CPD to report suspicious activity as she perceives it, she was made to feel as if she was a complainer.  He believes that there needs to be a relationship with the CPD and residents where the residents can feel empowered, and where they will be advised that every little piece of information they can report can ultimately very helpful toward solving the larger problems, even if every single tip does not lead to immediate action.  This relationship needs to be built before a drug deal comes to pass.

Vice Mayor Simmons stated that a couple of years ago there was a great deal of problems at one property in the city and much conversation took place regarding this building.  She noted that now that building is changed.  What has changed is that there is a social worker on site.  She stated that a rapport was built between the social worker and the residents and that has made a difference in the building.  She stated that this scenario may be a part of the solution.

Commissioner Haas stated that the CPD has had success working with property owners and management companies.  He noted that the CPD is active in terms of helping facilitate management companies with problem tenants.  They have done put in place a number of initiatives such as an anonymous tip line via phone call or text messaging.  He noted that the key to the success of this initiative is letting families know that resources are available to them.  Relating to drug activity, Commissioner Hass stated that drug investigations are long investigations and that people do not see that they are ongoing for months at a time and they get frustrated by what they perceive to be a lack of police support.  He stated that it is critical to relay information regarding the ability to give the CPD anonymous tips.  He stated that if the CPD needs to be made aware of problem areas.  He stated that resources are driven by calls for service and that past activity helps to inform the CPD where resources are needed.  He stated that the CPD is in contact with the management companies.

Vice Mayor Simmons stated that it would beneficial to notify tenants via newsletters or other methods when the management companies take corrective action to make their living situation better such as the removal of problem tenants.  Notification will make people aware of negative consequences.    Councillor Cheung echoed Vice Mayor Simmons' comment regarding the importance of notifying tenants that there are consequences to negative behavior.  Vice Mayor Simmons stated that she would not like to see a negative attitude towards affordable housing and that further discussion is needed.

Jamie Ward stated that it would help if the teenagers trusted the police more.  She stated that teens have told her that everybody knows that the building on Willow Street is a problem and questioned why nothing been done.  She stated that the kids have accepted the idea that the police know about the problems at this building and that they do not care.  She commented that if kids believe that scenario it contributes to them distrusting the police and shutting down when the police want them to share information.  She noted that anything that can be done to help the teens understand that the adults are trying to keep them safe goes a long way.

Vice Mayor Simmons asked Commissioner Haas to provide information regarding the diversity of the CPD including the highest ranking woman and how many women of color with the CPD.  She stated that she will await that information for discussion at a future meeting of the Civic Unity committee.  Vice Mayor Simmons then asked about discipline regarding race and gender.  She stated that what spearheaded this area of inquiry was a meeting that she attended in Boston by women patrol officers and their perception of the lack of advancement with police departments.  She questioned how to make Cambridge a city where diversity is more than just a word that is thrown about.  She also suggested that having a more diverse police presence may make community members more comfortable in sharing information and establishing relationships with the CPD.  She stated that one way to make diversity more than just a buzz word is to look at people's roots and finding of similarities we may not have previously known about or appreciated.

Vice Mayor Simmons then stated that she will follow up on the June 11, 2012 City Council order that she introduced asking the City Manager to set in motion the organizing of a youth forum.  She stated that she would also like to follow up on her June 11, 2012 City Council order asking for a joint meeting with the management companies and other area stakeholders to see if the city can figure out a way to make buildings safer.  She stated that this work should be done by all City departments and stated her hope that inroads can be made around race, class, gender and sexual preference.