How were you hurt by officer's remarks?

The Arlington Human Rights Commission is seeking statements from town residents by Wednesday, March 6, describing how they have been hurt by published remarks written by Lt. Rick Pedrini last October. You may submit your statement here >> 

These comments will be shared privately with those involved in the process of restorative justice in which the officer is involved.

Representatives from various community groups, including the Arlington Human Rights Commission, will participate in a second restorative circle, this month. The statements and ideas from the Arlington community will be shared with Lt. Pedrini. A town statements says: "The restorative justice process is being pursued to help heal the hurt caused by inflammatory statements made by Lt. Pedrini in the Massachusetts Police Association Newsletter."

YourArlington asked Naomi Greenfield, cochair of the town Human Rights Commission, whether these community comments would be shared publicly, and she responded that they would not be. "They are confidential and for use in the Restorative Justice Circle," she wrote Saturday, March 2.

She added that if people submitting are comfortable having their comments published, they are more than welcome to provide them to media outlets.

It's your choice; site policy

Thus, I am asking that anyone who has submitted comments expressing how the officer's comments hurt them may also send them for publication to YourArlington.

The site has no deadline for comments.

Email your comments to the publisher at sprague.bob at gmail.com. What you write is up to you, but you may explain how you were hurt and what you believe should be done about it.

YourArlington's policy is to publish full names with any opinion. The publisher believes a citizen should stand behind his or her viewpoint with a real name.

In this case, you must include your real name, but if you do not want it published, please say so, and your choice will be respected. No email address will be shared.

Arlington is a founding member of Communities for Restorative Justice, a nonprofit collaboration of communities and police departments that offers restorative justice to those affected by crime.

The organization’s “circle” process recognizes that an offense or crime is a violation of people and relationships, not always simply a violation of rules or laws. The nonprofit explains its view of restorative justice here >> 

Feb. 21, 2018: Town seeks restorative justice with Lt. Pedrini

This plea for opinion was published Sunday, March 3, 2019, and updated March 6.