LYNN — The City’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Faustina Cuevas, hosted the first meeting for the Lynn Calm Team (LCT) and heard questions from community members on Monday night.
Members from community organizations around the city spoke up to voice their concerns, ask questions, and provide feedback before LCT launches its pilot phase.
Cuevas presented the timeline of the program’s creation and said she has been working in various mayors’ offices for three years to plan the LCT. She said she has worked with the Collins Center at UMass Boston as a consultant. They researched alternatives to police response in other municipalities to determine what format would be best for the City of Lynn.
Many residents shared their concerns that LCT would be tied to the police department. Cuevas clarified that LCT will have its own dispatch number to call and will not serve as a co-response effort to the PD.
Another concern among residents was that LCT will only hire three staff — a program director, Community Outreach Manager, and Community Support Specialist.
Cuevas said the city has budgeted $250,000 for these position’s salaries, and the group hopes to expand its staff through grant funding.
She emphasized that LCT will be entering a pilot phase before it officially launches so the group can better understand how it can serve the community.
