Deerpark Police Reform Committee members have concerns
Jessica Cohen
DEERPARK - Police department reform and reinvention in Deerpark will be devised by five public officials and six community residents, nine men and two women, as announced by Deerpark Supervisor Gary Spears at a recent Town Board meeting.
The appointments follow Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order requiring police departments to make reforms guided by community members and “stakeholders” in law enforcement.
Residents appointed to the committee include Margaret Spring, Scott Glynn, Bob Zeller, Mike Witt, Burt Thelander and Adhara Jimenez-Banse.
“Time is of the essence. It’s alarming to me that police are in the schools and that police may be sent to deal with mental health issues,” said Jimenez-Banse, who works in social services. “Are they properly trained? I want appropriate staff to deal with the needs of the community. Too often when there’s a mental health issue, a person is killed.”