Town Manager Report For May 17, 2021

Amherst Indy May 21, 2021 0
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Editor’s note: Town Manager Paul Bockelman submits a comprehensive report to the Town Council at each of its regular meetings. The reports, usually 9 to 12 pages in length, provide up-to-date information on what is happening within and across Town departments. The Manager’s Report is usually one of the last items on the agenda and is often taken up late at night, leaving little time for the Manager to do more than mention a few highlights and this is usually all that gets entered into the Council minutes. What follows is a complete, unedited version of the Town Manager’s Report.

All Town Manager Reports are available on the Town’s website here: Town Manager Reports

Town Manager Update:
  • COVID-19: There continues to be more vaccines available than appointments being made. Supply is finally catching up to demand. The Board of Health has decided to keep its local mask requirement for the downtown area in place. The Board will review the order at its meeting in June.
    • Testing: Testing at the University’s Mullins Center is changing from an appointment- based center to a walk-in testing center. No appointment will be necessary. Also, testing is now available for anyone 4 years of age or older.
    • Vaccination:
      • The Town continues to operate vaccination clinics.
      • We are now offering walk-in times with your choice of single dose (Johnson & Johnson) or two dose options. Mondays 12p-4p, Wednesdays 10a-1p & Thursdays 9a-1p at Bangs Center.
      • We will wind-down our clinics, offering second doses, and likely will halt clinics during July and August. Vaccine will still be available at the site in Springfield and at local pharmacies.
      • The homebound program is now operating again.
      • We are utilizing our 25% allocation in conjunction with the Community Participation Officers who are present after church services to reach those who

don’t have ready knowledge of how to sign up for a vaccine. We are exploring other ways of providing the vaccine without the need for an appointment.

  • The Health Department worked with the School Department to offer special dedicated vaccine clinics for high school students at the high school and middle school students at the middle school. There was significant interest in these two offerings with a wide range of students being vaccinated. School

staff were very supportive in ensuring the clinics were run successfully. Amherst is one of the first communities in the State to offer special vaccine clinics at the high school and middle school.

  • Masks: While the Governor has relaxed the requirement to wear a mask outdoors, the Town’s Board of Health has reaffirmed the requirement for mask wearing in the downtown area. With large numbers of families visiting the community due to various in- person graduation ceremonies, the Board thought it would be wise to continue this requirement.
  • Town Hall:
    • Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek will serve as temporary Town Manager from May 11-14 while I am away.
    • The Police Station reopened to the public for individual transactions on May 10th. Rest rooms are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Masks are required and will be provided if a visitor does not have one.
    • Town Hall and other offices will reopen to the public for individual transactions on June 1st. There will be safety protocols in place. The number of visitors will be monitored and there will be a limit on how many members of the public can be on any one floor at any one time. Visitors will enter through the Main Street entrance and then proceed to their destination. There will also be an overall limit on the number of visitors in the building at any one time.
    • Modifications have been made to the public transaction areas at the Collector’s, Clerk’s and Inspections offices.
    • Modifications have also been made to employee work areas that have been in place for quite some time now.
    • While individual meetings may be scheduled in the building, I do not expect board and committee meetings to be accommodated until after Labor Day.
  • Outreach:
    • Cuppa Joe with Paul:
      • Our next Cuppa will be Friday, May 14th and will feature the Finance Director and Comptroller.
      • President Martin of Amherst College has also expressed a willingness to be a guest during the

summer following up on an appearance by Hampshire College President Wingenbach.

  • Community Chats:
    • We are taking a two week break from the Community Chats due to scheduling issues.
    • All recordings of our Community Chats can be found here: Community Chats
  • Office hours: I continue to offer virtual office hours to those who are interested in talking one-on-one with me.
  • Engage Amherst: We have added two new areas – the North Common and the Town Budget – to the Engage Amherst web site. These will join Pomeroy Village, North Amherst Library, and the Four Capital Projects which can be found here: https://engageamherst.org.
  • Town-Gown:
    • University of Massachusetts at Amherst:
      • Commencement – May 14th:
  • Graduating students may invite up to two guests and are responsible for registering those guests prior to the ceremony.
  • Graduates planning to attend commencement must register as well and must comply with testing requirements. They must wear a mask to gain entry to the ceremonies and practice social distancing in compliance with the state’s commencement requirements.
  • Mask wearing and social distancing will be required of all attendees, including graduates and their guests throughout the ceremonies.
  • The ceremonies will be livestreamed for those unable to attend, or who wish to celebrate from a distance.
  • Amherst College – May 30th:
    • Commencement:
  • The College has extensive protocols in place for graduating seniors and their guests including proof of vaccination, testing prior to entering

campus, registration, etc. These protocols for commencement and Senior Assembly have been reviewed and approved by the Health Director.

  • Neither Commencement guests nor returning seniors can arrive on campus until May 30, Commencement day.
  • Those who are fully vaccinated will not need to go through COVID-19 testing protocols.
  • Those who are not fully vaccinated will need to get a negative COVID-19 result from a test administered at their home location on the Thursday, Friday, or Saturday (May 27, 28, or 29) immediately preceding Commencement.
  • In addition, those who are not fully vaccinated will need to obtain a rapid- response antigen test on campus before they can be admitted to the ceremony.
  • All on-campus students will undergo a PCR test on Thursday, May 27 and all on-campus graduating seniors will undergo a second PCR test on Friday, May 28.
  • Hampshire College:
    • The College will hold a virtual commencement on May 15th with various programs and events for graduating students immediately prior to the commencement program.
  • Racial Equity:
    • Community Safety Working Group:
      • The Working Group’s consultant has finalized its report. The Working Group will utilize the consultant’s findings to write its report which is scheduled to be completed by May 15th.
      • The Working Group will make its presentation to the Town Council on May 24th and the Finance Committee will discuss these proposals at its meetings after the 24th.
    • Core Equity Team:
      • I had previously reported to the Town Council that $12,653 was remaining in the FY21 appropriation to begin the process of addressing systemic racism in the Town. $67,347 had been committed for stipends for the Community Safety Working Group and the contract for the consultant supporting the work of the Working Group. The Town’s Core Equity Team had two proposals totaling

$11,000 that they asked the Town to fund utilizing available funds to support their work. However, in the meeting today, they determined it was equally important that the work of other groups in Town be supported as well. As a result, I will be supporting the first contract of $6,500 to support the immediate work of the Core Equity Team. The second contract, for $4,500, will be held and reviewed for the next fiscal year. All members of the Core Equity Team who were present supported this approach.

  • Reparations: I met with representatives from Reparations 4 Amherst group and discussed ways the Town could utilize funds to support the work that they are doing following proper procurement and contracting rules.
Departments:
  • Finance:
    • Budget: The Town’s operating budget and capital improvement program were presented to the Town Council on May 3rd.
      • The budget looks different from previous years. We are working to make it more readable and accessible. It is also our goal to present the budget in in line with the best practices established by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
      • All material is available online.
    • Bond Rating: Town staff, including the Finance Director, Treasurer, Collector, Comptroller, Assessing consultant, and Financial Advisor made a major presentation to S & P Global Ratings on Friday. We presented extensive information on the Town’s finances, economy, management team, and liabilities. We are hoping to retain our current bond rating, even though we are in the middle of a pandemic and economic low point. This is in anticipation of the borrowing the Town will be doing in the next couple of years.
    • Medicare Buy-in: The Town has joined the Medicare Buy-in program offered by the Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association Health Benefits Trust. Under this program, retirees who are age 65 or over and not Medicare eligible will be enrolled in Medicare, saving the Town significant funds in medical costs for these employees. The Town has also received a reduction on its health insurance rates as a result of this program. Numerous group and one-on-one meetings have been held with those participating in this program.
    • School Collective Bargaining: I will be serving as the municipal representative for the collective bargaining negotiations at the School Department.
  • Public Works:
    • Tree City USA. The Town has earned recognition as a 2020 Tree City. The Town achieved this by meeting the program’s requirements.
    • DPW crews have been working on the basketball courts at the Mill River Recreation Area. They will be repaved when other paving work is being done in Town.
    • Road construction projects moving forward in June include Henry Street, Bridge Street, and part of Pine Street.
    • There will be work downtown to fix crumbling crosswalks, supported by a State grant obtained by the Town.
    • We will be bringing several public way improvement before the Town Council for its review.
  • Town Clerk:
    • Voter Veto Petition: The Town Clerk’s office has been devoting large amounts of time responding to requests for information from proponents of the petition. The Board of Registrars met on Friday but made no decisions. They met again on Monday.
  • Public Safety:
    • Police:
      • Officer Rita Curley (nee Contardo) has been awarded the Law Enforcement Exemplary Performance Award from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH). The Department honors a law enforcement officer and a police co- response clinician for their exceptional dedication, commitment and service to those who are in crisis, and in turn, helping their communities. There was no award last year due to COVID-19, so this is a two-year award. Nominations for the awards come from the community and DMH chooses the recipient. I have attached the narrative of Officer Curley’s actions that earner her the award and, quite literally, saved a person’s life.
      • The Police Department received a grant of $133,008 emergency dispatch operations.
      • The Police Department received a grant of $19,390 to support enhanced 911 dispatchers. This grant will offset training costs for our continuing education process that includes 16 hours of State mandated trainings to maintain their credentials as Certified Emergency Telecommunicators.
    • Fire:
      • Two Student Firefighters were among the ten members of the University of Massachusetts graduating class who are being honored as 21st Century Leaders at Undergraduate Commencement. They are:
  • AnnMarie Marquis: Ms. Marquis is a Commonwealth Honors College student from Tewksbury and has completed two degrees: one in biochemistry and molecular biology, and a second Bachelor’s Degree with Individual Concentration in immunology and immuno-engineering. A first- generation college student, Marquis served as a firefighter and EMT for the Amherst Fire Department’s Student Force, serving as captain. She volunteered 20 to 40 hours weekly, recruited and trained a new cohort of student firefighters, led the training of the Engine Company, and made changes to operations to ensure safety. In the early days of the pandemic, Marquis was one of five students hired full time and worked alongside paramedics while finishing her full-time course schedule. Using her knowledge of emergency preparedness and basic life support skills,

Marquis volunteered with the Medical Reserve Corps to teach STOP the Bleed trainings and educate students on campus. She worked overnight shifts at the W.E.B. Du Bois Library to finance her education while excelling in her self-designed immunology and immuno-engineering studies, earning Phi Beta Kappa recognition. Her self-designed thesis research in immuno-engineering focuses on reprogramming immune cells to prevent tumor progression in cancer. She plans to continue her education in healthcare, science and engineering.

  • Alannah Scardino: Ms. Scardino is from Rochester, N.Y., is also a Commonwealth Honors College student double-majoring in sport management and social thought and political economy. A boundary breaker, Scardino conducted research on the juvenile justice system, violence against girls and women, and sport for development. She used her honors thesis as a springboard to launch a sport-for-development organization called Rising Phoenix Sports Program, with a mission to support the health and well-being of girls in the juvenile justice system through sport. Scardino remained in Amherst during the pandemic and served as deputy chief of Amherst Fire Department’s Student Force. After graduation, she will continue to develop Rising Phoenix and hopes to work for an organization dedicated to using sport to make a positive social impact.
  • Fire Captain John Ingram has been named Fire Chief in the Town of Belchertown. In addition to being a captain for the Town of Amherst, Captain Ingram has served as Fire Chief for the Town of Leverett. Captain Ingram and his family have contributed greatly to the Town of Amherst.
  • Human Resources:
    • Human Resources are recruiting for Recreation Director and numerous other positions.
    • Human Resources is recruiting, hiring, and onboarding numerous positions, mostly seasonal or associated with our COVID response.
  • Sustainability:
    • We have received two proposals to provide municipal aggregation consulting services for the Town of Amherst, City of Northampton, and Town of Pelham. I am reviewing the two proposals and expect to award the contract shortly.
  • Community Services:
    • Recreation:
      • Barb Bilz’s is retiring after 21 years on the job, most recently as Recreation Director for the Town.
      • I have appointed Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek to serve as temporary Recreation Director until the position is filled.
      • A large applicant pool is being reviewed and interviewed.
      • The Recreation Department expects a full range of sports programs for children this summer including a new lacrosse skills development program in the spring, a youth cross country program, and Ultimate program.
      • Staff are developing summer day programs that meet Covid-19 protocols.
      • The Mill River pool will open on June 19th this summer (usually it would open on June 26th). We are also hoping to extend the season to Labor Day.
      • Cherry Hill Golf Course opened on April 9th and was very busy.
      • A new website – www.amherstmarec.org – is up and running as a central place to find information on the Recreation Department.
    • Health:
      • The Amherst Health Department and Board of Health will be reviewing its current “masks required” order for the downtown area. They will discuss whether this is still needed in light of the Governor’s relaxing of mask wearing outdoors.
      • The Health Department is looking at the requirements to opt out of State mosquito aerial spraying and initiating that process.
  • This will be discussed at its meeting on May 13th.
  • Spraying has not occurred as far as anyone knows in this region for many years. Last year, there was one aerial spraying in the State and that was in Plymouth County due to health indicators that were widely discussed prior to spraying.
  • The decision to opt out is made by the Town Council. For the Town to opt out, it must prepare an alternative mosquito management plan, receive the advice of the Board of Health, and provide for public comment. Here is a link to the actions necessary: https://www.mass.gov/doc/application-for- municipality-opt-out-of-srmcb-spraying/download
  • The State has extended the deadline for the Town Council to act from May 15th to May 28th.
  • Individual property owners may opt out by filling out this form: https://www.mass.gov/forms/request-for-exclusion-from-wide-area- application-of-pesticides
  • If it chooses to opt out, the Town will be required to submit “an alternative management plan” for approval by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
  • “M.G.L. Chapter 252, Section 2A(b)(2) allows a municipality to opt out of spraying, either aerial or other mosquito control spraying, conducted by the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board (“SRMCB”) conducted under M.G.L. c. 252, Section 2A(a). For the SRMCB to recognize a municipal opt out, the municipality must first have an alternative management plan (“Plan”) approved by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (“EEA”). In accordance with the M.G.L. c. 252, Section 2A(b)(2), EEA has developed the following guidance on the development and approval of a Plan.”
  • Senior Center:
    • The Senior Director has been appointed to serve on the State “Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council”.
    • The Fund is administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund Advisory Council, which shall develop recommendations for the expenditure of the

Fund and submit an annual report detailing the activity, revenue, and expenditures to and from the Fund with the Legislature by October 1st of each year.

  • The first meeting of the Advisory Council has been scheduled for May 14th.
  • Unhoused Population:
    • The Building Commissioner, at the request of Craigs Doors, has extended the use of the Unitarian Universalist facility on North Pleasant Street through July 31, 2021.
    • The Director of Senior Services will serve as facilitator for the new Homelessness and Rehousing Task Force that is being organized. A copy of the charge is attached to this report.
    • We are working with Craig’s Doors to secure appropriate showering and daytime sheltering options.
    • The CDC eviction moratorium has been extended to June 30th. In Hampshire county (individual community statistics on filings are unavailable) there are several hundred eviction executions filed. With an economy that has not yet rebounded, there remains a need to redress the impact of COVID-related losses. Once the moratorium ends, we are anticipating a demand for services. Effective service delivery will be enhanced by retaining this person, whose local knowledge and trust with marginalized communities needing assistance is building. We will continue our work and support of Family Outreach of Amherst to work on these challenges.
  • Economic Development:
    • At its meeting on April 29th, the Board of License Commissioners approved Regulations for Special Short-Term Alcohol Serving Licenses and Regulations for the Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages on Public Property.
    • The adoption of the Regulations for the Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages on Public Property is pursuant to the Town Council’s vote in March of 2020, which amended Amherst’s Open Container Bylaw.
    • In writing these regulations, the Board not only used research drawn from towns in Massachusetts with similar regulations and population, but also from towns hosting events which made them cultural and economic destinations.
  • The Board strove for clarity, consistency with existing Short-Term Alcohol Serving regulations, and for practical ways of ensuring the health and safety of the residents and staff of the Town of Amherst. The key documents are here:

Amherst to become a destination as a hub for live music and poetry performances, artists in residence, a makers space, a farm-to-table market, and a cafe or brewpub.

  • The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT) Marketing Travel & Tourism Recovery Grant of $116,655 to leverage a comprehensive marketing campaign to attract visitors to the Amherst area.
  • The Amherst Center Cultural District is up for renewal this year. (There are 49 districts in the State.) There is a process that will lead to a vote by the Town Council on the renewal in the summer. A cultural district designation is effective for five years. Designations may be renewed for an additional five years. The vote by the Town Council will be to recommit to the cultural district in line with the resolution passed in support of the proposed cultural district five years ago.
  • Conservation and Development:
    • Planning:
      • Zoning:
  • A zoning change that would impose a moratorium on new buildings in certain zones has been submitted. A joint public hearing of the Planning Board and the Council’s CRC Committee will be held on May 19th.
  • A second zoning change has been submitted by staff to make amendments to the Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw.
  • Affordable Housing: The Department of Housing and Community Development has approved an increase in the Town’s Local Action Units, adding 11 affordable rental units in the Aspen Heights development (out of a total of 88 units) located on Northampton Road.
  • Information Technology (I.T.):
    • The Communications Manager has earned a Professional Certificate in Leading Smart Communities from a well-respected program at Pepperdine University.

Delegated Authority (April 2021):

  • Short-Term Event Uses of Town Commons:
    • Use of East Street Common for the Mobile Market. This request will come to the Town Council when their timing exceeds the number of days permitted to be approved by the Town Manager.
  • Short-Term Parking Requests: None
  • Short-Term Road or Sidewalk Closures:
    • Use of the public way on East Hadley Road for the Mobile Market. This request will come to the Town Council when their timing exceeds the number of days permitted to be approved by the Town Manager.
Major Capital Projects:
  • DPW Building/Fire Building: The Request for Proposals for a site for a new Department of Public Works building has been advertised. Proposals are due on June 4th.
  • Schools:
    • We submitted the Town’s selection of an Owner’s Project Manager to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA).
    • The Selection Committee ranked Anser Advisory first based on its strong response to all evaluation criteria outlined in the Request for Services, their recognition of the unique needs of the Amherst project, and a strong team zero net energy building experience.
    • After negotiations, we came to an agreement on price and submitted the entire package to the MSBA on May 5th.
  • Library:
    • Town Council approved the borrowing and CPA funds on April 5th.
    • A Voter Veto petition was initiated but failed to produce enough signatures.
    • The petitioners brought a complaint to the Superior Court requesting (i) additional time to submit signatures, (ii) a reduction in the number of signatures needed, and (iii) permission to submit signatures electronically. The hearing on this case is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28th.
    • The Judge in the case denied the request by the plaintiffs.
    • I submitted all signed documents to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners prior to the required April 30th deadline to receive funds this year.
    • We will be creating a Building Committee to oversee the project.
Project Update:
  • Kendrick Park Playground: We are working to have the project completed by June 1st. unfortunately, there is a delay in obtaining the granite from New Hampshire so we may not be able to meet the June 1st deadline.
  • Dog Park: The contractor is continuing work on this project.
  • Performing Arts Shell on the Town Common: No developments.
  • Parking Structure on Town Land at North Pleasant Street Parking Lot: No developments.
  • North Common Restoration/Main Street Parking Lot:
    • The Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed parking changes on May 17th.
    • Work will begin on the schematic drawings.
    • Congressman McGovern has listed additional work on the roadways surrounding the Town Common for funding as stated above.
    • Town staff continue to seek out additional sources of funds to substitute or supplement the Town’s current funding plan.
  • Hickory Ridge: No new developments.
  • North Amherst Library:
  • Pomeroy Village MassWorks Grant:
    • Public forums were held March 25th at 6:00 p.m. (1-hour) and March 27th at 2:00 p.m. (2- hours). These forums were convened by the Town Services and Outreach Committee, begin with a brief presentation by Town staff, provided prompts to the public for structured feedback, and included the opportunity for questions and answers.
    • Work continues with traffic counts being conducted.
  • Solar on the Landfill: In the coming months, crews will be working on the Northern Landfill to mow, set the access road, and set preliminary sediment control. The “real” construction work is scheduled for August, along with the fence around the Southern Landfill.
  • Belchertown Road/East Street School: Town staff are preparing an RFP that will be issued by the end of June. We anticipate a fair amount of interest from non-profits in this opportunity to create additional affordable housing in Town.
Upcoming Meetings and Events:
  • May 24th – Town Council meeting
  • May 31st – Memorial Day holiday
  • June 7th – Town Council meeting
  • June 18th – Juneteenth holiday celebrated
  • June 19th – Juneteenth Events
  • June 21st – Town Council meeting
  • July 5th – Independence Day
Committee Charge Homelessness and Rehousing Working Group

Name: Homelessness and Rehousing Working Group (HRWG)

Type: Ad Hoc Time Limited

Legal Reference: Charter Section 3.2, Committees created by the Manager Appointing Authority: Town Manager in accordance with Charter Section

3.3.c Number of Voting Members: Nine (9)

Number of Non-Voting Members: None (0)

Term of Appointment: All appointments expire June 30, 2022

Special Municipal Employees: (if voted by Town Council)

Staff Support: Director of Senior Services

Composition:

Nine voting members

  • Director of Senior Services, Facilitator
  • Assistant Town Manager
  • Seven representatives from service providers such as Craigs Doors, members or advocates of the unhoused community, or others with experience in this area

Purpose:

The purpose of the Homelessness and Rehousing Working Group is to:

  • Make recommendations to the Town Manger to ensure the operation of a seasonal shelter and explore the possibility of creating a permanent seasonal or year-round shelter with proper support services including rehousing.

Charge:

The HRWG shall:

  • Determine the current state of sheltering, attendant supportive services, and rehousing programs in the Town and region, including any State and regional initiatives.
  • Identify the size of a shelter by understanding the number of individuals who are likely to need emergency shelter in the Town of Amherst by reviewing demographic, shelter policies, and other regional data.
  • Assess the Scope of Need for a shelter for those without housing, review demographic and other data regarding unhoused individuals, and inventory mental health and substance use support services and access in the Amherst area.
  • Determine services necessary to be included in a shelter location, gather input from guests and service partners for shelter services, case management and continuum of care necessary for rehousing unhoused individuals.
  • Review surplus Town buildings or land suitable to meet need and services either through the repurposing of surplus Town buildings or land and/or through working in partnership with concerned community groups or individuals to realize this goal.
  • Review state and federal funding opportunities to realize this goal.
  • Make a recommendation to the Town Manager regarding operation of a seasonal shelter and/or suitable sites for a permanent seasonal or year round shelter.
  • Make a recommendation to the Town Manager regarding collaborations and partnerships necessary to further identified case management, supportive services, and rehousing goals in Amherst.
Reports:
  • Initial recommendations for the location of a seasonal shelter by July 31, 2021.
  • Written report to the Town Manager by August 31, 2021 on recommendations regarding operation of a seasonal shelter.
  • Written report to the Town Manager by December 31, 2021 on recommendations for a suitable site for a permanent seasonal or year round shelter which centers a continuum of care of services and rehousing.

Charge Adopted: DATE by the Town Manager

Charge Revised: SME Status Voted:

Officer Rita Curley (nee Contardo) Wins Award – Narrative of Action

Awarded the Law Enforcement Exemplary Performance Award from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health

Officer Rita Contardo is a veteran police officer assigned to the patrol division. She is a multi- dimensional officer who is involved in several critical functions within our agency. Officer Contardo is an exemplary police officer who is well respected in our community and inside law enforcement circles. She is committed and caring, and it is reflected in her work and relationships.

Most notable to this nomination is that Officer Contardo is a member of our Crisis Intervention Team. When CIT was adopted by the Amhcrsl Police Department, Officer Contardo was one of the first officers to commit. She has embraced the CIT concept and has worked ·with her team to aid community members who are experiencing trauma or crisis. She very actively participates with fellow first responders in follow-up activities working for and with individuals who are experiencing behavioral health difficulties. She has helped shape the culture of our agency to advocate for those who need us the most.

Incident
On February 7, 2020, Officer Contardo and Officer Mathew Frydryck responded to a report of a suicidal woman armed with a knife at a local parking facility. Officer Contardo arrived and found the woman locked inside of her vehicle. Early attempts to connect with this woman were not fruitful and it was apparent to Officer Contardo that she was in crisis. It was learned that the woman had recently been hospitalized in connection with behavioral and mental health issues.

As the situation unfolded, the woman was unwilling to surrender her knife. She began hacking at her own throat and tried to plunge the knife into her midsection. Officer Contardo called for additional help and EMS. De-escalation tactics and Officer Contardo’s interpersonal skills were not working. Suddenly the woman produced a razor blade and began cutting her own wrist.

Recognizing the immediate danger of this incident escalating into a fatal situation, the officers broke one of the car’s windows to gain access into the passenger compartment. Faced with an inconsolable and combative woman armed with two weapons they tried to gain control. The woman struck out at Officer Contardo stabbing her in the chest. The force of the blow penetrated her uniform. Amazingly, she struck Officer Contardo directly in the center of her chest where the hardened trauma plate in her ballistic vest.

Absorbed the blow. The strike was so violent it broke the knife. Fortunately, Officer Contardo was uninjured.

The two officers were able to subdue the woman physically and remove the weapons from her possession. EMS personnel were called to the scene once the danger had passed and ultimately assisted in transporting the patient to the ED as Section 12 protocol was followed. The patient was not physically injured.

Following the struggle, Officer Contardo continued to work with the patient to make contact with a family friend that she has relied on in the past lo help diffuse crisis situations. Officer Contardo accompanied the patient to the ED until she had been admitted.

The patient told Officer Contardo that she had stabbed her in the hope that she would draw her firearm and kill her. The incident ·was captured on a cruiser video.

Recommendation

This was a tense and dangerous incident. The patient was deeply into crisis and was a clear danger to herself, the public and the responding officers. Officer Contardo’s response was professional, respectful, and courageous. Without hesitation or concern for her own personal safety her quick actions prevented further injury to the patient. She demonstrated amazing restraint and was able to get this patient to where she belonged – a medical facility – by using a minimal amount of force.

Officer Contardo’s actions on February 7, 2020 demonstrate the expectation of law enforcement and the standards of the Amherst Police Department, and in my humble opinion, the essence of crisis intervention.

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