Who Should Police the Police?

PLUS: MASSHOUSING • CHANDLER ST. ROUNDABOUTS

By-Hank Stolz
Photo- Radio Worcester

Questions, Concerns, Opinions?

TEXT US! >> 774-364-8255

Worcester, MA- This episode examines two major Worcester issues: the ongoing debate over establishing a civilian review board for the police department and community concerns about traffic calming measures including roundabouts. Hear what Hank and Ben and Tom Marino of thisweekinworcester.com and Mark Henderson of the016.com have to say on the biggest stories of the week.

Regarding police oversight, city administration and the majority of the city council oppose creating a civilian review board, arguing that existing safeguards and the new police chief provide sufficient accountability. Proponents counter that an independent body is necessary to verify police conduct regardless of current leadership, citing a history of civil rights settlements and low sustained complaint rates.  “The city just wrote a check for $825,000 in a civil rights lawsuit to settle a civil rights lawsuit and the George Floyd thing… So where is our after-action report? What are the safeguards in place to make sure that this doesn’t happen again? So, they have a perfect opportunity to say, great. You say that the proponents of civilian review to say, listen; this is great. You don’t want a civilian review because you have all these checks and balances in place. Let’s see the proof.” said Henderson.

The episode also covers Globe Spotlight investigations revealing fraud at Mass Housing involving Worcester-connected individuals and companies, and community resistance to planned roundabouts on Chandler Street near Worcester State College, reflecting broader tensions between those favoring traditional infrastructure and those advocating for modern traffic calming and urban development approaches. “This is Mill Street 2.0. The fight is Mill Street 2.0. It’s the same battle lines. It’s the same players.” says “Big” Ben.