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Berkeley Heights Resident & Parent Expresses Concerns on OSC Police Training Report

Community Voices
Berkeley Heights Town CouncilCommunity VoicesJustice System
Rekha Ahalya is a parent with children in the Berkeley Heights School District
This week, we learned that Berkeley Heights police attended at least one training session conducted by an organization promoting tactics that contradict principles of diversity, inclusion, and equity.  This underscores the critical need for oversight.
Prism, initially voted down, was later approved after BOE members received additional information to address their questions.  Despite this, those members faced harsh criticism from political opportunists eager to exploit the issue during election season.
I can’t help but wonder: will the same voices that were so vocal last year now speak out against this training?  Will we see the same level of outrage on forums like BHCF?
Will those who often dominate town council meetings with loud assumptions about others’ intentions demonstrate similar energy in addressing this matter?
And what about Margaret Illis?  Will she move beyond political theater and cackling at BOE meetings to ask tough, meaningful questions at the next town council meeting?
Will Susan Poage or others issue letters to the editor condemning this issue?  Will Ms. Stanley and Ms. Bradford, who reacted strongly to a straightforward request for information about a new school club, now take a firm, consistent stance on police in schools and broader diversity concerns?
Finally, if the decision of BOE President lands on Daryl Palmieri’s desk, will these champions support a more qualified woman of color who got more votes than Gale Bradford for BOE President?  Their behavior last year suggests otherwise.
Rekha Ahalya

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