[Massachusetts-NFB] Follow up and fill-in on the cadet escort: Cambridge Chapter specific

[Helen Kobek]

Hi, folks, with focus on Cambridge Chapter:
I've heard from a number of staff at the Senior Center that they felt good
about the cadet presence there. They noted that the cadets offered human
guide within the building, which folks might or might not want to make use
of in the future. A personal choice, when needed if/when  there are not
enough Center staff quickly available to offer guide.
I heard that the on-site (on occasion, but with an established office)
Sergeant Sean Lowe appreciated the presence of the cadets.
No one at the Senior Center felt there were too many cadets or too heavy a
police presence associated with this, although I was surprised there were
several more than the four planned. So that matter could be addressed, as
needed.
Would you consider this question when pondering the structure of the police
cadet presence in Central Square and beyond to the meeting site:
*Would you want the cadets to be available to human guide within the
Center? Or would you, if you seek human guide, rather wait for an available
staff person to offer that? No one should feel pressured to accept guide
from anyone they don't wish to. *
Please also note that the Community Relations Department has these monthly
meetings on their schedule for the cadets through next year. (They
initiated that.) If the Chapter decides not to endorse it, it will still be
available. In other words, the Chapter need not endorse it in order for
there to be the organized presence of an unarmed police group. And even
though it was pointed out that anyone can call the police or try to find
one at any time in Cambridge, the fact of clear presence is helpful. I
understand the Chapter might feel it goes against the independence
philosophy of NFB, and that's fine. It's still set up, with goodwill. (I
made use of it in both directions, and I felt relieved and eased. I did not
use human guide, but felt safer.)
Overall, the opportunity for an increased police presence in that area is
greatly appreciated by many people.
I know this has potentially fraught aspects in terms of how this was
initiated, but know that I, the police, and Senior Center staff have good
will and care in all of this.
We can all hope for this: that the suffering that has been feeding the
elevation in crime (robberies, opiate use, drug dealing, etc. ) will be
eased, for all concerned.
Kindest regards,
Helen
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