CSHCA Safety Committee Meeting 11-16-21

Chairs: Dianne Lescinskas and Jennifer Deabler
Minutes: Doreen Miller
Also in attendance: Donna Blythe-McColgan, Bill Brennen, Yomari Chavez, Heidi Moesinger, Marcia Szkolka
Special Guest: Officer Michelle Maffeo, Inclusion officer BPD, North Star Personal Alert Program

North Star Personal Alert Program

• Background of Officer Michelle Maffeo
  • 25 years in the BPD
  • Michelle worked with Dianne Lescinskas in the past through the North Star Program, and Boys and Girls club
  • Can be reached at Michelle.Maffeo@pd.boston.gov
• North Star Personal Alert Program
  • For people with cognitive disabilities
    • Alzheimer patients
    • Children and people with autism
    • People with other mental illnesses
  • How to apply
    • A primary Guardian can sign someone up
      • Via Local police station
      • Through Michelle Maffeo: Michelle.Maffeo@pd.boston.gov
  • Keeps history of people with atypical behaviors, i.e. wandering off – especially good for locating people.
  • Safety Net Tracking
    • Via bracelets/anklets, watch-style
      • Works via radio frequency to locate a missing person (similar to the LoJack system for cars)
      • Bracelets are battery operated.
      • Watch-style can be charged via USB.
    • Grants available for this specific component – tracking devices are offered free of charge.
  • Autism Awareness Training
    • Officers learn
      • About common traits and how to identify people with disabilities
      • De-escalation skills.
    • Officers work with
      • Schools, families, institutions, and agencies – Hold safety talks.
      • Courts by offering prevention and intervention services
      • The Sheriff’s department
      • DDS
    • Outside schools
      • Go on field trips – i.e. take kids to RMV to get IDs.
      • Teach life skills.
      • Support Junior Police Academies.
  • Benefits of the Program
    • Autism training relates to other disabilities.
    • Interaction between the officers and special needs kids builds trust.
    • It is especially helpful for people who wander.
    • Trained officers know how to handle and de-escalate a potentially volatile situation.
    • It helps individuals avoid getting into trouble and getting a CORI.
  • New ID system
    • Currently being developed.
    • BPD will be able to make an ID for those who enroll when they can’t get to the RMV.
    • Will roll out in the near future.
    • Minimum age is 14.

Updates

• A crosswalk was painted at Columbia Road and Buttonwood street.
• Morrissey Boulevard
  • A request was submitted to Patrick Ford (Senator Nick Collins’ office) for a speed limit sign on the Northbound side of Morrissey Blvd.
  • There is a need for speed enforcement. Drivers are out of control.
    • Get officers to begin ticketing speeders.
    • Request a speed indicator on both sides to alert drivers to their speed.
    • Chairs will contact the state troopers, DCR, and Dan Hunt.
• Malibu Safety
  • McConnell Park Construction
    • Destruction of the new yet uncured playground surface was reported. $80,000 in damages.
    • Chairs will contact the project manager to inquire about the unfinished sidewalk along the curved edge.
  • Illegal use of the corner by the new challenger field at McConnell is a nightly issue – drugs, ODs, etc.
    • It’s been an ongoing problem for at least 5 years.
    • Continue to contact police and fire.
    • Chairs will contact Dan Hunt and follow up on the request for a “gate”/bar to restrict access to Savin Hill Yacht Club.
    • Request better lighting to deter illegal activity.
    • Connect Bill Brennan with Officer Manning to come up with another approach to this problem.
    • When was the last time anyone was arrested for illegal activities in this area? If there are no consequences, the problem will remain.
    • Include the captain at C-11 on any e-mail correspondences with reps in regards to this issue.
  • Trash problem – a health issue
    • Request that at least some trash barrels be kept year-round as the beach is used all year by dog walkers and other people.
    • Request the solar compactor barrels we once had be replaced.

Other

• If anyone has an idea for a future guest speaker on a topic related to safety, please contact the chairs.
• There will be no meeting in December due to the holidays.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, January 18, 2022, via Zoom