Amherst Community Safety Committee Prioritizes ICE Concerns and Housing Equity in Meeting

Overview: The Amherst Community Safety and Social Justice Committee meeting on October 22, 2023, brought to light issues concerning immigration enforcement activities by ICE in the community and the ongoing challenges related to housing equity. Members discussed the Amherst Police Department’s (APD) reported interactions with ICE and the frustrations surrounding the Crisis Response and Emergency Services Team (CREST). A significant portion of the meeting also focused on affordable housing developments aimed at addressing racial equity and first-time homeownership.

Amherst Meeting Highlights: Budget Concerns and ICE Operations Spark Heated Discussion

Overview: In a recent meeting of the Amherst Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, members voiced concerns over budget allocations impacting local safety initiatives and discussed the unsettling presence of ICE operations in the community. The meeting, conducted remotely, drew attention to the need for increased funding for programs supporting vulnerable populations and highlighted ongoing anxiety related to immigration enforcement.

Amherst Committee Grapples with Oversight Board Authority and Crest’s Community Role

Overview: During the recent meeting of the Amherst Community Safety and Social Justice Committee, the most discussions revolved around the establishment of a resident oversight board intended to investigate complaints against local law enforcement and the operational dynamics of the Community Responder Emergency Services Team (Crest). A substantial portion of the meeting was dedicated to exploring the oversight board’s proposed bylaws and its intended authority, with attendees expressing strong opinions on its potential impact on police-community relations.

Amherst Committee Faces Urgency on Youth Funds and Oversight Board Creation

Overview: The recent meeting of the Amherst Community Safety and Social Justice Committee focused on issues concerning the funding of youth empowerment initiatives and the establishment of a resident oversight board for the police department. The committee confronted the imminent deadline to allocate remaining funds for the Youth Empowerment Center and deliberated the structure and governance of a proposed oversight board.

Youth Empowerment Center Faces Hurdles as Amherst Committee Seeks Transparency

Overview: During the recent Amherst Community Safety and Social Justice Committee meeting, discussions revolved around the proposed Youth Empowerment Center, funded by a $500,000 grant under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The center aims to empower BIPOC youth and other young people in the community but faces challenges related to the management and allocation of resources.