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Published: 4/21/2021 8:16:56 PM NORTHAMPTON In the wake of George Floyd’s murder last May, Jasmine Sinclair organized a Black Trans Lives Matter protest against racism and police brutality that drew more than 4,000 people to downtown Northampton. On Tuesday, she was sitting outside Big Y supermarket after grocery shopping when her aunt texted her the news: former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin had been found guilty on all three counts related to Floyd’s death. “I’m surprised the prosecutors put away one of their own,” Sinclair said on Wednesday. “I’m not that impressed, but I’m glad. There needs to be more work done.” ....
Easthampton police reform group submits report JERREY ROBERTSEasthampton Municipal Building, 50 Payson Avenue GAZETTE FILE PHOTO Published: 4/11/2021 8:32:04 PM EASTHAMPTON The Mayor’s Pledge Work Group, created last summer to provide recommendations to re-envision police safety, has released a final report focused on increasing non-police alternatives for health and public safety issues, transparency and community collaboration. The group, which was tasked with reviewing the city police department’s use-of-force policies, issued six recommendations for the city to implement: ■Investing in non-police, community-led responses for safety and health concerns. ■“Robust” data collection and analysis with regular reporting. ■Strengthened oversight. ■Examining police culture and training. ....