This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
12/09/2016 03:10 PMOn Dec. 5, Branford Police Chief Kevin Halloran did much to calm fears of some citizens with questions about keeping Branford tolerant in the wake of post-presidential election.
In the days since November's presidential election, there have been no incidents of violence, threats or other acts reported in the town of Branford. Branford Police Youth Detective and School Resource Officer David Atkinson also noted there have been no incidents in the town's school system.
The meeting drew about 60 citizens and was also attended by State Representative Sean Scanlon (D-District 98). It took place at Stony Creek's Willoughby Wallace Library at the request of a group of citizens who reached out to the police department.
Citizens had questions about how to provide social support and help reduce stress and anxiety some Branford residents may be feeling, due to fears they or others may experience increases in discrimination. A letter from the group to Atkinson, inviting the police officials to the meeting, noted, in part, "...post-election stress is really high, and even greater for Americans of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, women, and the LGBT community [and] many people including minorities, as well as women, fear they will experience increased discrimination, threats and safety issues. They also fear more institutional discrimination."
Among their questions, the group's letter stated, "We want to know about bullying, discrimination, and assault. What should we do to help prevent it and or what should we do if we are aware it is taking place. How can we lend support to those that are feeling afraid or marginalized? "
Some asked the police officials what situations might require police response or at least police notification.
"We'd have to make an assessment as to our actions and not overstep our boundaries as police," said Chief Halloran.
One asked if police should be called if hate message pamphlets are distributed in public places, such as parking lots.
"Absolutely; It's important for us to know what's going on," said Halloran. "But just because they might pass out a pamphlet as part of free speech doesn't necessarily mean there's going to be violence that ensues."
While lawful protests can take place, disparaging comments from some passerby exercising their right to free speech may come with the territory, and so should be anticipated by those involved in the protest, said Atkinson.
"So if you're going to get involved in a lawful protest, there's something that comes with it," said Atkinson.
One citizen commented he felt the most common problem for the foreseeable future would be what people say to one another in public; and that in some cases insults may elevate to include ethnic, religious, racial or other slurs.
"What crosses the line between insult and hate crime?" he asked.
"If it raises alarm and annoyance in a public place, the person could be subject to a breach of peace arrest, and it gets classified as a hate crime," Halloran answered, adding, "The complaint has to come from the victim; so that the victim would be the person to speak to us about whether or not they want to pursue charges against the person," said Halloran.
"You shouldn't put yourself in that position, where somebody might hurt you in the efforts of trying to commit a hate crime against somebody else," Halloran cautioned. "You should separate yourself from that and encourage the victim to call us. Even if you're not the victim, you can call us. But for us to further a complaint we need that victim to cooperate with us."
Holding up his Smartphone, Halloran added, "...these things are great" to allow instant contact from any public place. He also noted, while citizens' photos and video from their phones provides "snippets" of actions being reported, all Branford police officers have been equipped with body cameras since 2012. The body cameras provide start-to-finish event records for police to utilize; including investigations of claims against an officer.
"It's important to me to have trust in the community," said Halloran. "I'm not saying we're perfect. We make mistakes; but we hold our officers accountable."
Another citizen said she was worried about illegal immigrants being rounded up and removed.
"Their children may have papers but their parents may not," she said. "I feel like we should be keeping a special eye on those people."
"They are also part of our Branford family. They are treated as such," answered Atkinson, who also coaches youth sports in town. "Obviously they're here because they want something better for their children; and their children are attaining that because of where they live. It goes back to the mission of the schools and the mission of the coaches and our community of Branford. All of it is about taking care of each other (and) I think it's going to continue."
Halloran said the scenario of rounding up illegal immigrants is something he doesn't see occurring in Branford, noting "...we don't have enemies, we have citizens."
"I don't think, quite honestly, the federal government has the resources to do what might have been promoted during the presidential election," said Halloran, adding," ... I think if they asked me to do it I'd have to follow my moral compass. We've worked too long and too hard to build trust with the community (and for) one, I don't' think we have the resources to do what [would be] asked. While I'm Chief, I don't think you have to worry about any round-ups."
Halloran answered another citizen's question about the potential of having to implement "stop and frisk" policies. Halloran said that type of practice is used in some urban policing and doesn't make sense for Branford.
"We don't need to do that," said Halloran.
The citizens also tossed around ideas about what could be done at a grassroots level. Several suggestions pointed to more community dialogue. Others included being welcoming to refugees, such as a Syrian family recently hosted and assisted through community efforts coordinated by Branford First Congregational Church. Another idea was to post signs at local businesses welcoming certain groups which may be facing discrimination. Another mentioned the current trend of wearing a safety pin on shirts or outerwear to show support for the vunerable. It was also suggested individual clubs and community members organize shows of support, such as this past summer's #Branford4Orlando event following the LGBT hate-crime deaths of 49 people at an Orlando nightclub; and this fall's Blue Ribbon display supporting police.
Halloran said those types of past events show that Branford is already a community that cares.
"I think what you're all missing, or may not recognize, is that Branford is a welcoming community, just by the fabric of the community we have here," said Halloran. "I think that you're selling yourselves a little bit short, to be quite honest with you. What we're dealing with here, to me, is [the] dramatization of social media and bad media reporting; and we're letting this take over our fears and anxieties of what's going on. That's my assessment. The real picture in Branford is -- we're not seeing it. We have a great community here."
Scanlon suggested "talking with each other," noting he makes himself available for coffee chats with community members from different areas of his district, of all political ideologies, about once a month.
"You can at least convince people to be more civil with one another if you have that conversation," said Scanlon.
Resident Celia Toche informed the group that another organization, Branford Families, has been started with the idea of gathering residents to talk. The group is planning a series of three community conversations, with the first planned to coincide with Martin Luther King Day in January. For more information, find Branford Families on Facebook.
Toche said Branford Families is exploring having a mediator on hand to facilitate "intelligent conversation" from "...people from both sides; and really approach it from a point of view of values and common values for the future of Branford, where we really already share many of those. We have the same hopes and dreams for the town. We all have families and we can start from a common area."
"We hope that it will grow from there to neighborhood talks," said Toche. "I know that my street is deeply divided. And it is very scary that we can't talk about this, and that we have this unspoken animosity; and our town wasn't that weighted one way or the other. So I think it will be constructive to try to do this."
Toche also asked the organizers of the Dec. 5 meeting to help Branford Families reach out to those in other areas of town.
Scanlon said the idea of community conversations is a valid approach and also suggested one-to-one discourse, saying, "...it's up to all of us to reach the people that we know" to open the door to meaningful dialogue.
"I think it's all about the way we talk to one another," said Scanlon. "Because the things that outrage us, perhaps, about the president elect and the things he says, are the reasons why many of his supporters like him in the first place. And the sooner we recognize that, the better I think we're going to be able to have real conversations with those folks, and talk to them as neighbors, as friends, as brothers and sisters."