The Martha s Vineyard Times
Island police complete bias training
Three-day course featured rank-focused classes and community, organization involvement.
Island police completed a three-day training session on implicit and unconscious bias last week.
The training was conducted at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School by Hillard Heintze, a security risk-management firm based in Chicago.
The Martha’s Vineyard Diversity Coalition received a $25,000 grant to fully fund the training sessions, which were prompted by the recent spate of tragic African American killings during police procedures across the country.
The grant comprised $17,000 from the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation, $7,000 from the Martha’s Vineyard Social Justice Leadership Foundation, and $1,000 from the Social Action Committee of the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center. The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), the Martha’s Vineyard NAACP, and members of Black Lives Matter were also
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Island police implicit bias training set for May
Training will be led by Chicago-based Hillard Heintze.
An implicit and unconscious bias training course for Island police is set to take place in May.
Members of the Island’s six police departments will engage in an implicit and unconscious bias training May 4, 5, and 6.
The training will be conducted on-Island by Hillard Heintze, a security risk management team based in Chicago. Originally scheduled for November, Island police chiefs moved the training to the spring amid COVID-19 concerns.
The Martha’s Vineyard Diversity Coalition received a $25,000 grant to fully fund the training sessions, which were prompted by the recent spate of tragic African American killings during police procedures across the country.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Community celebrates Herb Fosterâs 93rd birthday
Friends, family, and former colleagues thank Island figurehead for decades of dedication to community betterment.
Edgartown FD showed up to extend good wishes. - Jeremy Driesen
Canine well-wisher. - Jeremy Driesen
Cars were decorated for the occasion. -Jeremy Driesen
Well-wishers held up signs going by the house. -Jeremy Driesen
Cars lined up to wish Herb a happy birthday. -Jeremy Driesen
Photo of Herb and his late wife in the window of his house. -Jeremy Driesen
Edgartown Police Chief Bruce McNamee helped direct all the cars that showed up. -Jeremy Driesen
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Update: Island first responders start getting vaccine
Majority of Island first responders say they’ll get the shots.
Mark Bettencourt receiving post-vaccination instructions from a nurse at Martha s Vineyard Hospital Friday. Jeremy Driesen
Belle Dinning getting vaccinated by Laura Hilliard, RN. First responders were among the first Islanders to receive the shots against COVID-19. Jeremy Driesen
Belle Dinning in the post-vaccination holding area. Patients were asked to stay there for 15 minutes after their vaccination and before departing the hospital. Jeremy Driesen
Laura Hilliard, RN, awaits her next vaccination patient. Jeremy Driesen
Alex Schaeffer, Edgartown Fire Chief, arrives for his vaccination at Martha s Vineyard Hospital. Jeremy Driesen
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Police reform act becomes law
Gov. Baker signs, after legislative adjustments are made.
Local activist Lisette Williams, left, Edgartown Police Chief Bruce McNamee, center, and local activist Eugene Langston-Jemison at a protest in front of the Dukes County Courthouse. Lucas Thors
A new act governing Massachusetts police has been signed into law by Gov. Charlie Baker. The governor sent the first draft of the act presented to him back to the legislature over disagreements about law enforcement’s use of facial recognition technology, and the oversight of a committee charged with policing the police.
The most significant element of the act is the formation of a special commission to oversee standards for police officers, to be known as the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission. It will be an independent state agency that, according to State House News Service, will “establish policing standards, certify law enfo