Somerville Seeking Applicants For Public Safety For All Task Force

SOMERVILLE, MA — The City of Somerville has announced that interested residents now can apply to be part of the Public Safety for All Task Force.

The city is looking to appoint three community members to the 13-member task force. A 26-question application is available online and is due by Feb. 24. Applicants must live or work in Somerville and be at least 17 years old.

"Ideal candidates will be invested in the equitable expansion of public safety for all," the city said in a statement.

According to the city, the task force is a community-driven initiative designed to create and shape public safety policies and engagement that advances racial and social justice across all economic classes, ages, genders, races, ethnicities and identities.

The task force's priorities include: creating recommendations for emergency response models, responding to major public safety concerns across the city, and making recommendations that help to combat systemic racism and institutional barriers relating to public safety.

The city said that new members of the task force can expect to serve no longer than six to eight months.

Task force members have about five hours of scheduled meetings per week, both in-person and virtual, and they are asked to attend additional meetings for subcommittees.

According to the city, task force members will be compensated for their time.

At her annual State of the City address, Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne mentioned some of the goals of the task force and of other policies and organizations designed to address equity in public safety.

"We won't fix centuries of oppression overnight," Ballantyne said. "It takes time to build inroads, to build trust, and to make a difference. But Somerville is staying the course. We are making sustainable progress. We are meeting people where they are, and together we will shape policies that promote widespread public safety, equity, and accessibility for all across Somerville."

Community members also can pick up printed applications for the Public Safety for All Task Forceat the front desk of Somerville City Hall, located at 93 Highland Ave., or by calling the Department of Racial and Social Justice at 617-625-6600, ext. 2058