Letter: A Call For Transparency In CRESS Implementation

The following letter was sent to the Town Council, Town Manager and The Community Safety Working Group on September 9.

My husband and I attended the CRESS (Community Response For Equity Safety and Service) Implementation public forum that began at 7 p.m this evening. First, we are continually grateful and amazed at the amount of work, thoughtfulness, and dedication the Community Safety Working Group (CSWG) members have put into their charge, specifically the planning of the CRESS program. My appreciation, however, was short lived after I inquired about the Cress implementation meetings and found that the meetings are scheduled early in the morning, not recorded, and lack a means for public viewing and participation. 

These are meetings involving town employees, the Chiefs of Police and Fire, and the two co-chairs of the CSWG committee, and they discuss a significant course of action put forth by the CSWG and residents of Amherst.

What is the justification for this lack of accessibility regarding the CRESS implementation planning group? How can the town claim “open government to the max” and limit the public’s ability to remain informed about an important planning process potentially impacting residents especially those challenged by mental illness and drug addiction? 

I ask that these meetings be recorded and that the public have access to these recordings, so that we can be informed about this area of significant social concern.

Demetria Rogeaux Shabazz

Demetria Rougeaux Shabazz PhD, is a resident of Amherst and a scholar of media and Africana studies