Suffolk County District Attorney announces community meeting in Chelsea on June 19
Rachael Rollins, the dynamic district attorney who became the first female elected to the esteemed Suffolk County position last November, was the guest speaker at the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Wednesday at the Holiday Inn/Boston Logan Airport Chelsea.
Rollins proved to be as dynamic a speaker as
she is a public official.
“The people that are most impacted
negatively by the criminal justice system – it has nothing to do with race and
almost everything to do with poverty,” Rollins told the luncheon audience. “If
you can’t afford somebody who can navigate fluently through the criminal
justice system – you are at a significant disadvantage.
“I don’t care what hue your skin is – if you
have no money, the system does not work well for you, period, end of story,”
said Rollins.
In well-received remarks, Rollins spoke about
the DA’s mission as the chief law enforcement office of Suffolk County. She
addressed serious issues such as the opioid crisis. She talked about the
marijuana industry and law enforcement’s efforts in the field since
recreational marijuana became legal in the state.
Chamber President Joseph Mahoney noted
Rollins’ achievements as a Division 1 college athlete at UMass/Amherst. While
at UMass, she challenged school leaders to increase the number of athletic
scholarships given to female students.
Rollins also used the forum to make a major
announcement: she will hold a community meeting on June 19 at 6 p.m. at the
Chelsea Senior Center.
It is the second such quarterly meeting in
the county following the inaugural session in Roxbury. It will be in the style of
a state of the union/state of the city, followed by a question-and-answer
session.
Councillor-at-Large Leo Robinson and Chelsea
Police Community Engagement Specialist Dan Cortez praised Rollins’ initiative
to host a community meeting in the city.
“A community meeting on a regular basis is a
great idea,” said Robinson, an early supporter of Rollins in her campaign for
office. “It follows through on her pledge to be accessible and accountable to
our residents. I expect to see a tremendous turnout of people welcoming her to
Chelsea on June 19 and learning about the important role the DA’s Office has in
our lives.”
Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes was a guest at
the luncheon while Roca Assistant Director Jason Owens, who provided an
overview of Roca’s efforts during brief remarks, led a delegation from the
agency.
Rollins called on Kyes to elaborate on the
challenges facing police officers in regard to the new marijuana laws.
“We have individuals in the state, police
officers in the state who are known as drug recognition experts (DREs),” said
Kyes. “There are only about 200 DREs out of 17,000 police officers, including
the State Police. At the end of the day, when an officer sees somebody and
they’re unsteady on their feet, bloodshot eyes – they could potentially get
probable cause to make an arrest, but then without that DRE to do an added
evaluation, when it goes to court, these individuals aren’t getting convicted.
“Right now, some judges will allow the
testimony pf a DRE and some will not,” concluded Kyes.
Rollins’ remarks were videotaped by Chelsea
Community Cable Television. Executive Director Robert Bradley said the luncheon
will begin airing on the cable television station.
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Rollins Speaks at Chamber of Commerce Luncheon