Town Of Danvers: Statement From Danvers Town Officials Following Allegations Of Racial Profiling At A Local Business

Press release from the Town of Danvers:

2021-09-09

Yesterday, the Town of Danvers received a letter describing an incident and alleged racial profiling at a Danvers business, which included a racially insensitive comment made by the Danvers Police Officer who was called to respond.  The Town extends its apologies for the unsettling experience the family had at a local business and for the comment made by a Danvers employee.

Let us be very clear, discriminatory behavior has no place in Danvers, or in any community.

In their letter, the family asked that the Town commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion training for its staff – a request we believe is entirely reasonable and appropriate.

This request is also consistent with the guidance provided by the Danvers Select Board in April 2021, when it accepted the final report of the Welcoming Community Working Group, which was formed last fall after the thin blue line American flag controversy in Danvers.  A link to the report and its many recommendations can be found here:

https://www.danversma.gov/documents/wcwg-final-report/

Town leaders have reached out to the family and have scheduled a meeting with them to discuss the incident. The Town has also been in contact with the business involved, expressed its disappointment, and encouraged the business to issue an apology, honor the requests of the family, and provide diversity, equity, and inclusion training for their employees.

Gardner S. Trask III                 Dutrochet Djoko        James Lovell               Steve Bartha

Select Board Chair                  HRIC Chair                   Police Chief                 Town Manager

This press release was produced by the Town of Danvers. The views expressed here are the author’s own.