Westchester County Executive George Latimer Promotes Blanca Lopez To Senior Operations Position Westchester County Executive George Latimer Promotes Blanca Lopez To Senior Operations Position Published: 15 January 2021
Westchester County Executive George Latimer is proud to announce the promotion of Blanca Lopez, M.S. to serve as the County’s new Assistant Director of Operations.
Currently, Lopez serves the County as an adviser on Fair and Affordable Housing. She also serves as liaison to various county departments such as Planning, Probation, Correction, Emergency Services, Human Rights Commission and the Office for People with Disabilities. Since June, she has also served as the Team Leader for Staff Liaisons for the County’s Police Reform Task Force.
Newton police shooting prompts calls for crisis intervention, mental health resources
By John Hilliard Globe Staff,Updated January 14, 2021, 12:48 p.m.
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Protestors demonstrated next to the Newton Police headquarters Jan. 6 to protest the fatal shooting of a man in Newton Highlands the day before.Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff
As an investigation continues into the fatal shooting by Newton police of a 28-year-old resident experiencing a mental health crisis, advocates are calling on local leaders to prioritize mental health resources as part of efforts to overhaul the cityâs police department.
Michael Conlon, 28, was shot Jan. 5 inside the building where he lived in Newton Highlands after he threatened the owner of a candy store, then attacked officers with a knife and fire extinguisher, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan. A Newton police clinician with mental health expertise was at the scene, but did not enter the Lincoln Street building due
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Although members of the public said they wanted more transparency from Newton officers during the latest Police Reform Task Force meeting on Dec. 22, there was no discussion about what law enforcement is and is not allowed to do in regard to releasing information.
Strategy Matters, consultants that “work with mission-driven organizations to develop creative solutions to complex problems, and to help them meet their goals,” according to its website, is being paid $200,000 to help the task force with its work.
Liz O’Connor, founder and principal of the company, told participants they could go into Zoom “breakout rooms” to discuss various topics, including overcoming systemic racism, policing and community priorities, addressing public health concerns, and nuisance concerns. There was no discussion ahead of time about laws, union rules or other factors that could limit what reform suggestions may or may not be feasible.
Dec 16, 2020
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) The Boston City Council voted Wednesday to establish an Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT), in an effort to set up a system of effective civilian oversight, accountability, and transparency in policing in Boston.
The City Council voted 12 to 1 to pass the ordinance establishing the OPAT, which also creates a Civilian Review Board and an Internal Affairs Oversight Panel.
The legislation is the result of a collaboration between the Council and the Administration to reconcile two ordinances, one filed by Mayor Marty Walsh to establish the OPAT, and another filed by Councilors Andrea Campbell of District 4, Ricardo Arroyo of District 5, and At-Large Councilor Julia Mejia to establish a Civilian Review Board (CRB).