Community Safety and Social Justice Committee Apr 8, 2026

The Town of Amherst's Community Safety and Social Justice Committee met on April 8, 2026, focusing on community safety initiatives, social justice issues, and organizational updates. Key procurement-related discussions included the status and funding of Crest, a community-based alternative to policing. Committee members emphasized the need for stable and increased funding to support Crest's staffing and extended service hours, noting that two positions were frozen in the current fiscal year and that the program manager's position was only funded through June. They discussed ongoing efforts to advocate for Crest's budget during upcoming town council finance hearings in May and the importance of educating council members about Crest's role. Additionally, the committee addressed the allocation of $450,000 originally earmarked for the Youth Empowerment Center, advocating for these funds to remain designated for that purpose rather than reverting to free cash. They also discussed the potential use and control of the Wildwood Elementary School building as a site for the Youth Empowerment Center and the BIPOC Cultural Center, noting that the school committee currently controls the space. Plans were made to engage with the town council to secure funding and space, with committee members volunteering to participate in related committees. The meeting included planning for future retreats and community engagement efforts, as well as discussions about the resident oversight board and joint meetings with the Human Rights Commission regarding police engagement with ICE. No formal votes on contracts or procurement were recorded, but several action items related to budget advocacy and facility use were identified.