AMHERST — The town hosted its first of four planned public forums in hopes of hearing from community members on their experiences with Amherst police and their opinions on the formation of a Resident Oversight Board as proposed by the town’s Community Safety Working Group.

Pamela Nolan Young, director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion presented the first forum at Town Hall on Dec 17, with the discussion facilitated by Rabbi Debra Kolodny, who specializes in conflict transformation, workplace democracy, DEI and police accountability.

Spanish and Mandarin interpreters were provided and members of CRESS were present during the forum as community spoke of their own experiences with members of the police.

Participants were also invited to participate in a survey concerning their interactions with Amherst officers, rating areas including professionalism, courtesy, racial and equity sensitivity, communication and the officer’s presentation of making no assumptions. The participants as well were asked to provide their own race/ethnicity, age, orientation and religion and other social categories.

What they would like to see happen to improve the department was also asked in the survey.

Community member Vira Douangmany Cage offered a video of an encounter she said was of a negative youth interaction with police on Dec. 16 at the Hickory Ridge parking area.

“These are individuals that you’re probably not going to hear from because this has been normal for them since growing up here in their own town,” Cage said.
Kolodny also read off comments offered by online participants, suggesting a Resident Oversight Board accept “credible, anonymous complaints” and make sure those in vulnerable populations be assured of no retaliation for speaking up.

Other comments included the need for transparency in the selection of board members and potentially giving members investigative authority.

Additional forums will be offered on Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 6 p.m., Thursday Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. and Sunday, Jan 21 at 1 p.m.

All meetings will be in person and online.

More information can be found at amherstma.gov.