City Council - Public Safety Committee

Public Safety Committee Meeting Meeting Minutes: April 26, 2021 Councilor Gomez called the meeting to order at 6:04pm. Online via Zoom Members Present: Chair Homar Gomez, Councilor Lindsey Rothschild and Councilor Salem Derby Also in Attendance: Mayor LaChapelle, Chief Alberti, Nicole Hendricks, Councilor Conniff, Shelby Lee, Liz Perry, Pat Brough, Javier Luengo-Garrido, Myra Oyedemi, Stephen Bryla, Rebecca Passa, Julie Thomas, Carolyn Cushing, Jean Frances, Gaby Stevenson, Angela Bradway, Caleb Hiliadis, Mike Ellsworth, Kim Ellsworth, Jen Markey, Chad Alexander, Jeff Fish, Ashley Alexander, Bill Kelly, Ashley Alexander, Kyle Gribi, Eric Poulin, Jen Markey, Kae Collins, Mark Popielarczk, Nataly Gomez, Louise Jacob, Spencer Hotz, Rich Rogalski, Megan Fuller, Nate Sancousi, Ryan Murphy, Desiree Gribi, Jeff Fish, Loren Davine, Kyle Gagnon, Andrew Beaulieu Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilor Derby and seconded by Councilor Rothschild; it was unanimously voted to approve the minutes of 9/1/200, 10/6/2020, 12/1/2020. Public Speak Time: ➢ James Davis of 14 Ward Ave spoke in favor of ending the war on drugs; that jail does not help those suffering from addiction ➢ Shelby Lee of 14 Ward Ave spoke in favor of ending war on drugs and the benefit of psychedelics to a variety of medical conditions; reducing scope of policing in the community ➢ Myra Oyedemi, resident of Precinct 1 - asked for clarification about structure of meeting New Business: Review to begin of the Mayor’s Pledge to Reimagine Policing ● Councilor Gomez is going to restructure the public speak to increase community engagement ● Mayor LaChapelle introduced report; still work to do; thanked Professor Nicole Hendricks  ● Professor Nicole Hendricks: explained charge, process and limitations; looked beyond scope to vision for community safety ● Councilor Gomez: thanked Prof. Hendricks; expressed disappointment in number of people involved in listening sessions during process; this is the reason why these Public Safety meeting will be structured to maximize community input ● Rebecca Passa, Member of Mayor’s Pledge Group: expressed appreciation for Prof. Hendrick’s work; looks forward to moving forward and getting more input ● First Recommendation: Invest in community-led non-police responses to health & safety concerns: The following participated in a discussion about the first recommendation- Councilor Rothschild, Javier Luengo-Garrido (ACLU, part of Northampton Review Commission), Gaby Stevenson (Precinct 2 Resident, AKINE)- Announced Peer Led 101 Event 4/29 at 7pm, Carolyn Cushing (Main Street, Precinct 4), Nataly Gomez (Precinct 2, AKINE BIPOC Member, Ordinance Review Committee), Louise Jacob (Precinct 3), Kae Collins (Precinct 4), Myra Oyedemi (Precinct 1), Jen Markey (45 Ridgewood Terrace), Julia Thomas (Precinct 1), Chad Alexander (Precinct 5, Easthampton Police Officer), Liz Perry, Desiree Gribi (Precinct 5), Chief Alberti, Council Member Conniff, Councilor Derby ● Angela Bradway: spoke in support of the decriminalization of drug use and supporting the comments of James Davis and Shelby Lee ● Stephen Bryla, Small Business Owner (Flotation Therapy) in Keystone Building: read statement about the value of psychedelic therapies and war on drugs not being a good use of resources; spoke of personal experience, take non violent drug offenders off of their to do list Next regular meeting: May 6, 2021 at 7pm A motion was made by Councilor Derby and seconded by Councilor Rothschild; it was unanimously voted that this meeting adjourn. Respectfully Submitted, Councilor Lindsey Rothschild Clerk to the Public Safety Committee