BSCL met on February 3, 2022 for its monthly membership meeting.

DRAFT MINUTES - To be approved at the March meeting

Call to order 7:30, Deborah Wood, President.  17 meeting participants.

Minutes from Jan. 6, 2022 meeting were approved

Linda Gaines, Membership Secretary, progress on BSCL membership renewals:

Only 64 members have renewed/joined so far; there were over 200 last year.  Forms will be in Barcroft News through April.

Report by Andrew Hunter: The Community Police Academy (check out link)

This 10 week program (one evening a week) was informative and enjoyable.  There were 23 in his class.  Among the insights gained:

• According to Chief Penn, the mindset of our Police officers is 95% guardian and 5% warrior.

• There is an emphasis on college education in recruiting and career advancement in the Department

• ACPD’s Office of Professional Responsibility described the many constraints on police conduct and operations

• ACPD does not engage in high speed chases; too dangerous

• Students participated in simulated police work scenarios

• SWAT, K9, Crisis Intervention programs 

• Compassion and persistence employed by ACPD with the homeless and mentally ill

• Youth and business outreach has allowed ACPD to deal with potential problem situations/areas with smaller police presence

• Budget constraints and low morale are issues

• ACPD is committed to professional accountability

• Mr. Hunter strongly endorses the Police Academy program, and it has given him a new appreciation for the judgment and professionalism of the ACPD

Presentation:  Bringing Restorative Practices to Arlington Communities, presented by Nutan Chada, Barcroft resident, and co-leader of the Restorative Arlington Community team.

We’re still in the early stages of this program. A Strategic Plan has been issued (it’s worth a look) a year ago. The goals are ambitious: to foster a more connected, equitable, empowered community through citizen participation and education. There are many facets to this, in the schools, the justice system, religious organizations, and civic groups like the BSCL, among others. Ms Chada invited participation from Barcrofters in “virtual circles” to discuss and/or forward restorative practices. It’s possible that Restorative Arlington will transition to a nonprofit eventually.