Dutchess County Police Reform & Modernization Collaborative Adds Spanish Language Forums to Schedule

Poughkeepsie, NY…  Following the successful launch of the Police Reform & Modernization Collaborative’s website, and the first two Police Reform Community Forums, the Police Reform & Modernization Collaborative has added three Spanish Language Forums to the Community Forums schedule. With the goal of gathering as much community input as possible, these three additional forums will be conducted completely in Spanish and will be available county-wide. Registration is required and individuals are encouraged to sign-up at DutchessNY.gov/PoliceForums.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “A lot of this reform process is about listening. And, as we’ve been moving through this process, we have heard from our stakeholders workgroup and community members that holding forums in Spanish was a necessity that would be a tremendous asset for gathering more feedback. We want to hear everyone’s specific ideas about police reform, and I’m encouraging everyone to sign-up for a forum and make your voice heard in this process.”

The Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights will moderate these three Spanish Language Police Reform Forums, in addition to the previously scheduled upcoming forums. Forums will be held via Zoom and registration is required to participate. To sign-up for one of these forums, visit the Police Reform & Modernization Website. The updated schedule of forums is as follows:

• Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6-8pm - Town of Wappinger, including Village of Wappingers Falls; Town of East Fishkill; Town of Fishkill, including Village of Fishkill; City of Beacon.
• Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6-8pm -Towns of Hyde Park and Poughkeepsie.
• Saturday, Sept. 26, 3-5pm - Town of Rhinebeck, including Village of Rhinebeck; Town of Red Hook, including Villages of Red Hook and Tivoli; Towns of Milan and Clinton.
• Tuesday, Sept 29, 10-11:30am – Spanish Language Forum, county-wide.
• Tuesday, Sept. 29, 6-8pm - City of Poughkeepsie.
• Thursday, Oct. 1, 6-7:30pm – Spanish Language Forum, county-wide.
• Saturday, Oct. 3, 3-4:30pm – Spanish Language Forum, county-wide.

Those who would like to participate in the virtual forums, either by listening or offering commentary and feedback, must register prior to the event’s start time. Those who would like to speak will be given three minutes. Please note that the Spanish language forums are not being offered by a municipal breakdown like the other Police Forums. Speaking priority will be given based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Those who are unable to attend one of the Police Reform Community Forums will be able to watch  recordings after the event on the County’s Police Reform & Modernization webpage. The website also features a public comment form for individuals to submit their specific ideas regarding police reform.

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Please note: To read this news release in Spanish (or many other languages), visit DutchessNY.gov and select the “Language and Accessibility Options” button.