Memorandum

To: Jane Patton

Jason Hoch

From: Andy Hogeland

Date: June 30, 2020

Re: Responding to Racial Justice Concerns

Here is the written version of the outline we have developed of a proposed response by the Town
Government to the concerns raised over racial justice and community policing. This reflects what was
presented at the Select Board meeting on June 22, supplemented by some of the other suggestions
raised by community members.

Please note the outline is mostly focused on what town government can do, mainly those things under
municipal control, but also recognizes that we will need to partner with other organizations and
individuals for aspects that are beyond our control. Many of the problems of equity and justice are not
solvable by a town government alone, so the town should be ready to not only do its part, but also to
support the work of other organizations that may take the lead on such issues.

I. Formal Public Statement or Policy on Equal Justice.

This task would be to issue a formal statement on where we stand on a variety of social justice issues,
not necessarily only the current focus on Black Lives Matter. The Select Board would need to decide on
the scope of the statement deciding, for example whether to include issues such as LGBTQ concerns,
immigration status, disabilities, etc., and whether we should craft our own statement or adopt one from
other organizations. We might consider the Not in My County pledge we took as satisfying this task, or
we can look at other models.

For Board Action: Decide on scope of statement and whether the Not in My County pledge is
satisfactory.
Timeline: Decide at July 1, 2020 meeting. If the Select Board decides it wants a different
statement, prepare and vote at subsequent July Board meeting.

II. Increased Transparency into Police Operations.

The task is to do a better job at explaining to the public what the police do in terms of policing activity,
training, budgets and department policies. Historically, there has not been much information easily
available, and public input has been sparse until recently. The budget, for example, has been passed
without comment at Town Meeting for many years. With the heightened community interest comes a
corresponding need for the town to become more transparent on these issues. Some examples include:
a. Continuing with the Coffee with a Cop program, but looking at ways to make it a more
comfortable or safe space for people to voice their concerns. This may include a separate
forum where the police are not represented in person.

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 b. The police budget has always been a public document but (like all budget items) has not
been easy to locate on the town website. At the June 22 meeting, it was pointed out that
the proposed town budget, including the police line items, has been posted in the Select
Board meeting packets but the public has had difficulty finding it.
c. The police gather information on their perception of the race and ethnic origin of drivers
stopped, but this information has not previously been part of the normal bi-weekly reports
that the Board receives. The June 22 packet included this information in the biweekly
report, along with 2-1/2 years of summary data.

For Board Action:

1. Develop with the Town Manager improvements, and alternatives, to the Coffee with a Cop
Program to increase opportunities for public discussion on an ongoing basis. Topics could
include discussion of the police budget and the explanation of the process and concerns
leading to the new police station.
Timeline: Commence upon approval at July 1st meeting.

2. Create an easy-to-find website location for data on statistics collected by the police, police
budget, department policies, and trainings. The biweekly reports should be posted in that
location as well as in the Board packet.
Timeline: Commence upon approval at July 1st meeting; finish by August.

3. Expand reporting to add clarity to existing data reported. Identify elements that are already
accessible through routine report generation and those that should be initiated. If possible,
we will add census data to this report in order to better contextualize the numbers. Include
data on all calls for service – what type of call; day of the week; time; outcome
Timeline: Review already initiated, traffic stop data published. Present results in August
meeting

III. Review and Revision of Key Police Policies and Practices

This task is a review of policies and practices of the police department, with the goal of determining
whether they properly reflect the goals of the town, are consistent with sound police practices, and
reflect the Town’s accepted approach to topics such use of force (chokeholds/strangleholds), duties to
intervene, de-escalation, etc. This task may include a review of the department’s policy on immigrants
to see if it can be used as a model for a broader constituency.

For Board Action:

1. Initiate with Police Chief and Town Manager the identification of primary policies of concern
and review each compared to the above goals.
Timeline: Already commenced by Police Chief and Town Manager; conclude review by
August

2. Review police records to gather data on incidents involving mental health issues to
determine the range and extent of mental health issues. Based on this review, develop a
plan to supplement the police with the appropriate level and type of mental health
resources.
Timeline: Present analysis and recommended plan at an August meeting.

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 3. Review of required and supplemental training of officers over the past 3 years. Identify
priority areas for training beyond state mandates.
Timeline: Review already initiated. Present results at an August meeting

4. Review of state and national standards currently being used in the local Police operations
Timeline: Review already initiated, report on status in August meeting

5. Review of best practices in community engaged policing in similarly situated communities

Timeline: Review already initiated, report on status in August meeting

6. Track and incorporate new state directives. Consider supplementing with local guidance as
appropriate.
Timeline: Has been ongoing, report on status at August meeting

IV. Community Conversations for Action

This task is to offer a program of community conversations around issues of diversity in our community
with a strong effort towards identifying specific actions to address them. These are not to be just
listening sessions; listening is the predicate for identifying the particular concerns and then proposing
actions in response. The June 22 Board meeting exhibited some of the features for these conversations,
including the telling of experiences that should motivate us, and suggestions on what the town and its
residents should do. A few considerations for structuring the conversations:
 This task could be accomplished through the establishment of an advisory committee
with a defined purpose and duration as we have done for other committees on
economic development and parks and recreation. The committee would hold public
meetings to serve as forums for public comment on what the town government and the
larger community should take as actions to address matters of race and equity. Part of
the mandate would be to ensure broad and inclusive participation from the public and
local institutions. Its recommendations should be reported back to the Select Board on
an ongoing basis as they are developed, with a final report due in, for example, a year.
Its analysis could include whether or not Williamstown should adopt a ‘Trust Policy ‘ like
Great Barrington’s, as has been suggested by some.
 The initial focus in these conversations should be on the issues in Williamstown, and
make some progress here before moving too far on partnering with neighboring
communities.
 Although the Select Board should be a sponsor, directly and through a committee if
there is one, a more effective program would team with other institutions such as the
schools, religious organizations and Williams College, since each has expertise in these
topics and are all part of the same community.
 We should consider having at least some of the sessions be facilitated by a trained and
experienced mediator of such conversations, and act as a neutral in this role.
 Sessions should allow for different sizes or formats to make them comfortable for those
residents not willing to speak up in larger groups
 Some creative attention should be made to attract residents who would not normally
come to such sessions. We need to continue to hear from the voices working on these

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 issues, but also to attract a larger participation in order to spread the opportunity for
change and new ideas.

Board Action: Approve the conceptual plan for community conversations including decision on
establishing an advisory committee, and, if approved, reach out to other persons and
organizations who may partner or could serve a facilitating role.
Timeline: Decision at July 1st meeting. More specific implementation details at a July Board
meeting; commencement aiming for August.

V. Other steps.
We have received many requests to undertake other actions, including joining organizations,
taking pledges, signing up for programs, painting Spring Street with the words Black Lives Matter
or flying banners supporting that and other organizations. We have also heard interest in
developing a history of race issues and demographics in Williamstown, focusing on affordable
housing, and adding mental health capacity for community needs. I am sure I missed some, and I
apologize for that, but the recommendation is that these ideas should be considered as part of
the conversation and advisory committee process so we can have the benefit of that process
and the different points of view when we decide on these actions. This proposal would have us
defer our decision on most of those requests until we have heard from the broader community,
though we may well identify actions (such as those in parts I-IV above) that we can take without
waiting for the end of that process.

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No Williamstown Police Budget Increase!

To: The Williamstown Select Board and Town Manager

The Williamstown Police Budget is currently upwards of $1.19 million. The planned budget for the
2021 fiscal year pushes even farther, increasing funding by 50,000 dollars more. All of this is on
top of the over three hundred thousand dollars the town pays back in loans every year due to a 5
million dollar police station built in 2019.

First of all, we are demanding that the Williamstown Town Manager, Jason Hoch, follow in the
footsteps of communities across the nation and disallow the finance committee’s proposed 50K
police budget increase, freezing the 2021 police budget at 2020 levels. To that end, he must act
to cut the proposed July and August FY21 police operating budgets by 4.26% to match previous
levels. In the event that he ignores these demands, we are demanding that the Select Board sign
on and agree to withhold budget increases and pressure their superior, Jason Hoch, to do the
same.

Second of all, we are demanding that Jason Hoch and the Select Board commit to the
demilitarization of the Williamstown police and retraction of all weapons and gear from the
department that expand past the bare necessity of what is needed for minor traffic violations.

Right now, the case to defund the police is stronger than ever. Towns across the nation, including
here in Western Mass, are revisiting their budgets and law enforcement policy. If the Select Board
is truly in support of black lives, it will recognize that the police system in our community needs to
change. Rejecting the budget expansion will put the Board on the right side of the Black Lives
Matter Movement and show that our community is ready to embrace change and racial equity.

Why is this important?

We need to reinvest in public services for the growth of our community. Our police budget has
taken financial priority over education and health services for too long, and the time has come to
make sustainable choices in our community.

Over the last few years, the town has had two multi-million dollar building projects: a school that
serves hundreds of students and faculty, and a police station that holds only about a dozen
officers. The new Mount Greylock School building came after years of struggle, with community
petitions and mobilization finally compelling those in power to take the interests of the town at
heart. The building of the police station however happened almost overnight and the department
continues to operate with very little oversight and almost no transparency. In light of national
uprisings against police brutality, the case for reinvestment has never been stronger. It is
imperative that the Select Board considers the practical implications of the Black Lives Matter
Movement and takes steps to reallocate priorities in our community.

Anyone can email the demands of this petition to the Select Board and Town Manager using this
link: https://l.linklyhq.com/l/5sFF
The petition as a whole will be delivered at the next Select Board Meeting on July 1st.

Signed by 294 people:

Name Zip code

Tashi Rai 01267

Sam Tucker-Smith 01267

Name Zip code

Kiersten Simpson 01237

Krishan Rai 01267

ashok rai 01267

Kim Gutschow 01267

Mercer 01267
Greenwald

Robin Sears 01267

Noah Greenfield 01267

Elena Caplinger 01267

Rona Wang 01267

Fiona Mathews 01240

Tess Johnstadt 01267

Katie Gentry 01267

Lola Bohle 01267

Dana Pilson 01267

Eddie Brannan 01267

Cailean Fippinger 01267

Nora Mathews 01240

Louisa Davis 01106

Tina Mak 91773

Lekha Rai 10075

Grace Kelley 01224

Abigail LeBlanc 01267

bryn angelini 01267

Ellie W 01267

Jackie Wells 01267

grace xie 87544

jamie-lee 01267
meintjes

Luke Swann 01267

Malina Woodburu 01267

Margo Smith 01267

Piper Schulman 01220

Name Zip code

Declan Rogers 01267

Dagny Albano 01267

Alex Bernard 01267

Ripley Cleghorn 01267

Max Rhie 01267

Marcy Rivera 93405

Marleigh Briggs 01267

Ella Budington 01002

Miriam Bakija 01267

Payre Hartcorn 01236

Ruth Weaver 01267

rina hatakeyama 12467

Celina Savage 01267

Kristie Couswr 01267

Gail Newman 01267

Erin Ostheimer 01267

luna kuhlwein 01062

Autumn Delorey 01267

Tej Patel 01267

Adriel Benko 01237

Mara Imms 19126

Tarryn Gaherty 01237

gabby zasada 01267

Nick Stapp 01267

Eri Bolton 01267

Helga Gutschow 34236

Kiara Carman 12546

Oscar Low 01267

Molly Polk 01267

Caroline 01201
Fairweather

Peter Low 01267

Name Zip code

Madison 01267
VanDeurzen

Bilal Ansari 01267

Jessica Dils 01267

Colleen Keyes 01267

Peggy Kern 01266

Gage McWeeny 01267

Maddy Art 01267

Rachel Payne 01267

Wendy McWeeny 01267

Nigel Jaffe 01267

Rosie Chernila 01230

Faith Manary 01267

Eve Avery 02139

Dara Miller 12075

ruby lerman 11579

Hannah Chase 01237

Carson Peters 20740

Sasha Fettig 70032

Sophie Banks 01230

Shawna Itakura 01267

Julian Minigiello 01267

dalhne launch 01262

Carrie Pratt 02115

Gabrielle 10023
DiBenedetto

Kay Swabe 93422

karen 01267
magnusdottir
mccomish

John G 01267

Leanda Wenus 85001

Lida Boutis 45387

Eliza Goldsteen 01267

Name Zip code

Izzy Mangano 01267

Julia Bowen 01267

tigerlily van der 12202

laan

Abigail Reifsnyder 01267-2249

khanyi ndaba 12418

Rachel Catchen 11050

Amy Lee 08844

Kailyn S 01240

Hayley Budz 02462

Jennah Simpson 01237

Kelsey Goodwin 01267

Catherine 01267
Samson

Ysabel Cueva 10453

Olive May 01267

Ian Nesbitt 01267

Will Marsh 01267

Eve Cleghorn 01267

Julie Schutzman 01267

Giselle Lora 12047

jb 01267

Fiona Li 07470

Heather Cruz 01201

Sophia Bon 12202

Coco Rhum 01267

Sadie Chernila 01230

Ajay Chatha 17603

Randal Fippinger 01267

phoebe lorusso 12018

Bernal Cortes 46617

Nima Darafshi 01267

David Falk 01267

Name Zip code

Janina Quint 10012

Jake Peters 37204

Tali Natter 01267

Annie Art 01267

Maddie A 21212

Dasha 01267
Belobokova

Sophie Jones 01267

Sophia Jannetty 02332

Owen Tucker- 01267

Smith

Gwyneth Maloy 01267

Willow 01262
Covendecker

Charles Starenko 01267

Emily Johnson 01237

Christine Pash 11720

James Fisher 01267

Victoria Moss 46033

Abaigeal Lypps 01970

Lilian Tulloss 20024

Heaven Coleman 43228

superior murphy 53209

Abigail Wiseman 01267

Mihiraan 01201
Gangisetty

Samuel Culver 01267

Josh Cheung 01267

Jackson Parese 01267

Thomas 01267
Ostheimer

Bernie Rhie 01267

Georgia 90068
Fanthorpe

Ellie Yousif 60707

Name Zip code

Mariah Lewis 01267

Lila Janski 10524

Emily Ouellette 01237

Henry Smith 01267

Sabrina L. 01240

Irene Hagen 20912

Bryan Asare 02780

Carman Nareau 94608

Luca Hirsch 01267

Avery Powers 01267

elizabeth 01267
westerdahl

Owen Crowell 01267

Katherine Preston 02906

Aidan Burns 01254

Nyasha Franklin 01267

Keenan Hingos 55604

Rose Shuker- 01247

Haines

Finley Kaye 10013

Kevin Rutledge 01267

Rachel Bisson 01267

Eva Myers 01237

Gabriella Alvarez 01267

Tess Tarses 28405

Fiona Tarses 90068

Harry Tarses 90068

Joseph Skitka 02906

Kullan Warner 01267

Ella Bradley 05648

Olivia Gravel 01267

Maddie Albert 01237

Yamalia Marks 01267

Name Zip code

Mercedes fitch 01247

Cam Sabin 01267

Liliana Rivera 94080

Josie Gutschow 15217

Kai Gutschow 15217

Elliott Loverin 01226

ES 01267

Donovan Fanning 23236

Talia mcelhiney 01201

Tom Ohara 13209

Miranda Park 01247

Melissa L. 01267

Maggie Crane 01267

Ella Dudley 01267

Trudy Fadding 01229

Nicholas 11218
Goldrosen

Sophia Dastoli 01267

Sarah Reyes 01106

Phoebe Hughes 01267

Webb Crawford 06457

Maia Vlcek 94605

Rachel M 01267

Alyssa Phelps 01237

Yeshe G. Rai 01267

Susie Sokol 10003

Simon Klompus 01267

Rosie Hodgens 10001

Cleo Levin 11216

Taylor Mishler 76627

Ruby Jackson 01267

Katelin Levy 01267

Bea P. 01267
Name Zip code

SL 01267

Priya D’Souza 01267

Elias Sekkal 01267

sally gotlieb 01267

Ava Freyer 10012

Michael 01237
Wellspeak

Maya Lhoste 01267

Sarah McNair 01267

lauren aliberti 01267

Emily K 02144

Emma Sullivan 01775

J Bath 01267

Catalin Yturralde 91941

Josh Jezouit 01267

Lina M 01237

Sarah Stripp 01267

TT 01267

Henry Rauscher 01267

Felix Kershaw 31401

Jacob Adams 01267

Eliza Cormier 01075

Ada De Gooyer 01267

Kyle Alvarez 01267

Noah Howard 01267

eleanor 01267
mcpartland

Nicole Overbaugh 01201

Jessica Brown 01063

Alexandra 90025
Zornizer

Grant Raphael 01267

Melissa Swann 01267

lk 48823
Name Zip code

Ian Culnane 01267

Cathy McPartland 01267

Holly Fisher 01267

Joe Boni 01267

Zeta Lenhart- 01267

Boyd

Adam Cohen 01237

Amaya S 01267

Connor Daley 01267

Mia DiSantis 01235

mallory alden 01201

Madelyn Kocsis 01267

Lucie Polk 01267

Shaelyn Roberts 01201

Abigail Hollar 94118

Alex Backiel 01267

claudia maurino 01240

Olivia Herrera 97333

Dominika Kosela 28-100

Remi Engel 01236

Rachel Parnell 37127

athena mclean 06606

Claire Thomas 80302

Kathy Nguyen 92703

FRANK LOSCALZO 07645

Palmer Holland 07042

Daniel Lipton 33139

Samantha Betti 01237

Mady rapp 05350

dorsa esmaeili 00000

Marie Anderson 70126

Kelly Menzer 11385

Tiara Barr 60619

Name Zip code

Stephanie Torres 07305

Mikaela Thiboutot 02769

Ezra Levy 01247

Kathy Rapp 05350

Olivia Warnke 53704

Connor Swan 02130

kacy mull 80133

Irene Salvo 17402

Denielle Hawkins 01056

Margaret Martin 01267

Allison Wheeler 01220

Gloria Lewis 37027

Samantha Page 01267

Hannah Lipstein 01267