AMHERST — At a community barbecue in May welcoming Earl Miller as director of the town’s civilian, unarmed alternative to police for some nonviolent emergency calls, Kenneth Meikle was encouraged to apply to be one of the community responders.
Several weeks later, after speaking to Miller, being introduced to the concepts behind the new public safety department and understanding how he could be a role model in the position, Meikle is one of eight people making up the four multiracial teams for the Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service hitting the streets later this summer.
“This is about making everyone happy and safe living in this community,” Meikle said, moments after the 13-year Amherst resident was sworn in by Town Clerk Susan Audette at a ceremony held before town officials, police officers and firefighters and community leaders at the Bangs Community Center on Tuesday morning. “I’m excited to help the community and identify ways to get past issues without having people going to jail.”
Meikle brings experience to the job as a cook and from the Department of Mental Health, where he has worked with people with disabilities.
“This is a better job to have and an opportunity for me to set a good example,” Meikle said, noting his children are at the town’s elementary school and high school. Originally from New York City, he came to Amherst be closer to his sister’s family.
The new department will be responsible for handling situations involving mental health issues, homelessness, substance abuse, trespass, truancy, wellness checks, youth and schools, though its exact role in public safety will be defined once the responders begin working in town.
Another person joining CRESS, with the unionized positions paying between $45,000 and $61,000, depending on experience levels, is Vanessa Phillips, who has spent much of her life in Amherst after being born in Northampton. Phillips has 15 years of experience in the health care field.
“I’m excited to put some shoes on and go at it,” Phillips said.
Her goals include strengthening the community and rebuilding trust among all populations in town.
“I think this is amazing,” Phillips said. “This is everything we needed and something that I definitely wish I had while growing up.”
With the swearing-in complete, the responders can begin several weeks of training that will include de-escalation and mediation, first aid and CPR, and equity awareness and social justice considerations. There will also be additional skills building for the teams.
The other responders hired are Erika Loper, Kevawn Lord, Brittany Haughton, Rome Cabrera, Tim Durocher and Kyalo Maingi.
Miller introduced each publicly and cited reasons for their interest that include serving as a model for other communities in anti-racism efforts and establishing a police alternative in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers in 2020.
That incident sparked riots across the country, and with continuing concerns about unarmed Black Americans experiencing violence at the hands of police, Amherst explored what actions it could take in response.
Many of the responders have local connections. Loper, for instance, grew up in Amherst and went to college in town, while Durocher, originally from North Adams, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Massachusetts and volunteered at the Amherst Survival Center.
The responders also come from various racial and ethnic backgrounds. Cabrera, for instance, identifies as Ecuadorean, and Maingi is a native of Kenya.
Miller said his priority in putting together the teams and hiring individuals was finding people with “a good heart.” He also thanked police and fire personnel for their support and pledged to solve problems facing Amherst together with them.
Diversity leadersThe swearing-in event also included the appointment of Kat Newman as the CRESS coordinator, and the leaders of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department, with Pamela Nolan-Young to serve as its director and Jennifer Moyston, a community participation officer and assistant to the town manager, as assistant director.
Nolan-Young said the community can be transformed through the work she will continue doing, having already worked in similar roles in higher education, including at Smith College and most recently at Notre Dame.
“I’m delighted and thrilled to be going on this journey with you,” Nolan-Young said.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said Tuesday was an important day for the town and “groundbreaking turf” as Amherst recommitted itself to public safety by expanding its definition and creating the first new public safety department since firefighters began in the early part of the 20th century.
“This is really a tremendous new addition to our public safety,” Bockelman said.
Members of the police and fire departments and emergency dispatchers were on hand, which Bockelman said shows they are interested in moving toward the idea of responding proactively to address concerns of the community. He also credited Human Resources Director Donna-Rae Kenneally and Finance Director Sean Mangano for their work on the launch of the departments.
Also speaking was Council President Lynn Griesemer, who said she sees the definition of public safety changing as the various departments work together to protect and maintain the town of Amherst.