todd-m
commented
4 years ago @sneakmeg Thanks for the update. It doesn't sound like the Vice Chair is disputing the police budget figures--more like he's justifying it... any specific content change you want to propose, or do any editors wanna weigh in here?
Response from city council member re: Arlington, MA email
Dear Ms. Ducharme,
I write to acknowledge receipt of your email.
Like you and anyone I have ever discussed the issue with, I mourn our country's mounting record of racist (and often police-involved) violence, and I decry the sentiments expressed in the Lieutenant's letter. The lack of flexibility that is afforded municipalities in such situations -- and following much worse incidents in other communities -- was highlighted by this incident.
Unlike you, I do not believe that dismantling our police department is the answer, especially given the APD's long commitment to community policing and working hand-in-hand with our health and human services, school, public housing, LGBT, homeless, recovery, and other communities, including our communities of color. Count me as firmly in the reform school of thought, with the caveat that reforms must include not only training and restrictions on particular practices, but also adequate management flexibility to address cases of serious misconduct.
As for your figures regarding Town expenditures on Health and Human Services, I would note that you exclude the considerable support for human services and affordable housing that are expended outside of or indirectly through the operating budget, leveraging Community Development Block Grant, Community Preservation Act, and the capital budget, not to mention the further millions that are devoted each year to supporting students within our public schools in need of English-language learning assistance or with social-emotional and other special needs. The sum total of all of these items dwarfs the police budget number that you cite.
Thank you for your note.
Joe Curro, Vice Chair Arlington Select Board