For Immediate Release: 7/13/2021 8:38 am
In line with a commitment from City Manager Edward M. Augustus, Jr. to implement a Police Body Camera Program, the City of Worcester’s Human Rights Commission will conduct listening sessions in each of the City’s five City Council districts to discuss what that program will entail.
As part of a series of recommendations announced earlier this year aimed at addressing structural and institutional racism, City Manager Augustus announced he would task the Human Rights Commission and Worcester Police Department with engaging the community on conversations about a Body Camera Program.
District councilors, along with representatives from the Worcester Police Department, will be present at each community meeting.
“These community meetings are an important part of the process of instituting a Body Camera Program,” City Manager Augustus said. “This is an opportunity for the public to ask questions and provide input on this important program.”
All meetings will be in-person, with the ability to participate virtually through Zoom (see links below), at www.worcesterma.gov/video-on-demand, and on Spectrum Channel 192. ASL and Spanish interpretation will be provided for public participation on Zoom and in person.
District 5: Monday, Aug. 23, 6-8 p.m., International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), 242 Mill St.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/97248853615, Call In: 1 929 205 6099 US (New York), Meeting ID: 972 4885 3615
District 4: Monday, Sept. 13, 6-8 p.m., Chandler Elementary Community School, 114 Chandler St.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/91200914074, Call In: 1 929 205 6099 US (New York), Meeting ID: 912 0091 4074
District 3: Monday, Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m., Worcester Senior Center, 128 Providence St.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/98511684012, Call In: 1 929 205 6099 US (New York), Meeting ID: 985 1168 4012
District 2: Monday, Oct. 4, 6-8 p.m., St Bernard’s Church, 228 Lincoln St.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/91385423166, Call In: 1 929 205 6099 US (New York), Meeting ID: 913 8542 3166
District 1: Monday, Oct. 18, 6-8 p.m., Massachusetts league of Community Health Centers, Inc., 16 Brooks St.
Link: https://zoom.us/j/96245321500, Call In: 1 929 205 6099 US (New York), Meeting ID: 962 4532 1500
Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts and recommendations on the implementation of a Body Camera Program. Some questions include:
• What are the benefits of a Body Camera Program?
• What officers should use them?
• When should Body Cameras be used?
• Who in the Police Department should have access to video footage?
• What kind of access should the public have to view footage?
• What types of instances should be public record?
• What recommendations for providing notice to the community when the Body Camera Program is implemented?
Comments may also be submitted to humanrights@worcesterma.gov. The deadline for public comment is Friday, Oct. 22.
