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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, July 31, 2020 Page 13 DCR reminds residents to follow health guidelines at state-managed beaches and parks T he state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) continues to urge the public to protect public health by adhering to important COVID-19 guidance, such as wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing and washing hands frequently when visiting state beaches and parks. Additionally, members of the public are reminded that alcohol is prohibited at state beaches, parks, and other locations throughout the state parks system. “While state-managed beaches, parks, and reservations are excellent places to escape the summer heat and unwind, the Department of Conservation and Recreation reminds all visitors that alcohol use is prohibited within the state parks system,” said DCR Commissioner James Montgomery. “When visiting agency properties, please adhere to all laws, rules, and regulations to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure a safe, fun environment for all visitors.” “We encourage the public to explore the great outdoors and enjoy our state parks and beaches, but it is important that all visitors adhere to Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen THE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' and senator's votes on roll calls from the week of July 20-24. CHANGES IN POLICING (S 2800) House 93-66, approved a bill making changes in the state’s policing system. The measure creates a Police Officer Standards and Accreditation Committee (POSAC)—an independent state entity composed of law enforcement professionals, community members and racial justice advocates—to standardize the certification, training and decertification of police officers for misconduct including bias, conviction of a felony, submission of false timesheets and use of excessive force. The bill revokes qualified immunity in any case that results in decertification of the officers and creates a commission to study qualified immunity and report findings by March 31, 2021. Qualified immunity is a judicially created legal doctrine established by the U.S. Supreme Court. Under current qualified immunity, police officers and other government officials can only be held accountable in civil suits for violating someone’s rights if a court has previously ruled that it was “clearly established” those precise actions were unconstitutional. Other provisions include creation of a Commission on the Status of African Americans, ban the use of facial technology and chokeholds, regulate the use of tear gas and rubber bullets unless officers have no other options to protect public safety, restrict “no-knock” warrants and bar school officials from sharing student information with outside law enforcement agencies. “Change is never easy, but with this vote, the House of Representatives acts to ensure fairness and equality,” said House Speaker Bob DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “It is the product of countless hours of conversations with a wide swath of stakeholders, including the members of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.” "Everybody had to give up something here to get to a common good, right,” said chair of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (D-Springfield). “And sometimes that's where life takes you. So these are moments that are historical and unique, challenging, but these are profile of courage moments. Both chambers want to get something across to the governor and get something that can be important health and safety guidelines to help keep everyone safe,” said Massachusetts Environmental Police Colonel Shaun Santos. “The public is reminded that alcohol is prohibited at state beaches, and we urge all residents to respect their fellow visitors by complying with these guidelines.” When visiting state parks, beaches and other properties, DCR asks the public to adhere to important guidance to protect the health and safety of all visitors, including: • If a location is crowded, please consider leaving the approved by the governor, but also veto-proof in both chambers." “The legislation in the House and the Senate are nothing more than a knee jerk reaction to the events happening hundreds of miles away from here,” said Mass. Police Chief Association President Jeff Farnsworth. “These bills are not a response to any current situation in Massachusetts. These bills are being used to make a political statement. They do not address issues in Massachusetts. As law enforcement leaders our primary mission is to ensure the safety of our residents and our communities. We do not believe that this legislation will do that. It has the very real possibility of doing just the opposite.” Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts opposed the bill but for vast different reasons than Farnsworth. “For months, people across the country and the state have been marching in the streets to demand systemic change,” said Rose. “Unfortunately, this bill does not reflect the fierce urgency that deadarea and either visiting a different location or returning later; • Follow posted rules and posted parking restrictions; • Stay within solitary or small groups and avoid gatherings of 10 or more people; • Practice social distancing of at least six feet between individuals; • Wear a facial mask or covering in public; • Participate in only noncontact recreational activities; • Practice healthy personal hygiene, such as handwashing for at least 20 seconds; and ly police violence against Black people demands. Instead, it reflects the depth of entrenched opposition to necessary police reform. Police unions and officers used the weapon of fear to maintain the status quo and undermine even very moderate reforms.” The Senate has approved a different version of the bill and a House-Senate conference committee will likely try to hammer out a compromise version. (A “Yes” vote is for the bill. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle No DEFINE UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT (H 4860) House 44-115, rejected an amendment to a section of the bill which provides for the de-certification of a police officer for, among other offenses, “unprofessional police conduct.” The amendment would define “unprofessional police conduct” as “on-duty behavior by a law enforcement officer which is established by probable cause to be a violation of • Stay home if ill, over 70 and/or part of a vulnerable population. In an effort to keep visitors informed of COVID-19 impacts on state parks, DCR has increased safety signage throughout the state parks system, launched a new Find A Park webpage and continues to post COVID-19 guidance on social media. For upto-date information on state parks during the COVID-19 public health emergency, please visit the agency’s Massachusetts State Parks COVID-19 Updates webpage. state and/or federal law, excessive use of physical force or repeated, sustained instances of behaviors which violate departmental policies or bring the law enforcement agency into disrepute.” “This term is not defined anywhere in the bill and [my amendment] sought to specifically define what it is, rather than allowing another body to later have to divine our legislative intent,” said the amendment’s sponsor Rep. Tim Whelan (R-Brewster), a former Massachusetts state trooper. Opponents said the amendment would limit the scope and authority of the independent commission the bill sets up. They argued the commission should be allowed to do its work without its hand tied by the Legislature. (A “Yes” vote is for defining “unprofessional police conduct.” A “No” vote is against defining it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle No NO-KNOCK BEACON | SEE PAGE 15

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