Students need more resources, fewer officers
Tenille Bonilla
Last year, in a huge win for justice advocates, organizers and communities across the state, the Connecticut legislature passed a widely contested police accountability bill, which among other things changed legal protections for officers who have committed wrongdoings and included measures intended to prevent abuses of power before they occur. Though it still needs to be fully implemented, the bill is a huge step forward towards holding police accountable for any and all abuses of power, and preventing harm in the first place. But despite the many significant measures included in the bill, one thing was sorely missing any mention of removing or fundamentally changing the role of school resources officers (SROs) within schools.
‘Err on the side of doing it right’: Police reform group trying to make work transparent
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1of2Jazmarie Melendez, sister of Jayson Nagron, talks with other protesters camped out in front of Police Headquarters, in Bridgeport, Conn. June 15, 2020. This Justice for Jayson protest is being staged to demand action drom city police and government officials following the death of Nagron, who was shot and killed by Bridgeport police following an automobile chase in 2017.Photo: Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media
2of2A group of protesters remained camped out in front of Police Headquarters, in Bridgeport, Conn. June 15, 2020. This Justice for Jayson protest is being staged to demand action city from police and government officials following the death of Jayson Nagron, who was shot and killed by Bridgeport police following an automobile chase in 2017.Photo: Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media
Bridgeport police reform group to consider making meetings public
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Photo: Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media
BRIDGEPORT A group of elected officials, city staff and activists meeting about policing reforms may have to either reconsider how they do business or dissolve to avoid breaking state Freedom of Information rules.
“We’re going to speak to the working group and decide what next steps they want to take,” said City Council President Aidee Nieves, who recently organized the effort with Councilman Scott Burns. “The decision will be made by the entirety of the group.”
In an effort to further the council’s previously stated goal of improving the police department and officers’ relations with the community, Nieves and Burns convened a 10-person “collaborative” with representatives from Mayor Joe Ganim’s office, the police force, the police commission, the health department, FaithActs for Education, the Greater Br