A month after presenting its Policing Reform and Reinvention Plan to the state, Albany is looking to convene a new series of community meetings at a tense time in the city. Mayor Kathy Sheehan, a Democrat running for a third term, tells WAMC the city will release an RFP next week for an outside group to facilitate the conversations.
It comes after city police cleared protestors from their encampment outside a police station in the South End last week in a dramatic scene that has drawn sharp criticism from activists and some city officials.
In the interview, Sheehan said of Thursday's clearing out of demonstrators. "I have very strong concerns about officers who covered their badge numbers...I can understand that people are really disturbed by that."
— Ian Pickus (@IanPickus) April 28, 2021
She said she retains confidence in police command staff.
Civil rights leaders said Tuesday that the clash — where some police officers were seen covering their badge numbers after giving protestors 15 minutes to vacate — eroded trust.
The mayor also discussed forthcoming changes to the city police force’s general orders and dispatch program, as well as the ongoing battle against dirtbikes and ATVs on city streets.
Asked @MayorSheehan about an ordinance being considered in Springfield, Mass. to make it illegal for a gas station to sell fuel to dirt bikes, and she isn't ruling it out. If new higher fines don't work "we're going to have to look at other legislation."https://t.co/Ink3DBRfsz
— Ian Pickus (@IanPickus) April 28, 2021
Sheehan spoke with WAMC’s Ian Pickus Wednesday.
