• During Covid, some Asian students opted to attend school virtually instead of in person for fear of being targeted. 

• It is difficult to determine the actual number of hate incidents that occur here or anywhere since most hate crimes go unreported. Similarly, how can we quantify and measure fear? 

• All groups must be reassured that they have the support of the community when an incident occurs, and that the response will be appropriate and timely. 

• With regard to creating a rapid response protocol: collaboration with diverse community voices will be a key factor; there is no belonging without co-creation.

• incitement to imminent lawless action (incitement)
• speech that threatens serious bodily harm (true threats)
• speech that causes an immediate breach of the peace (fighting words) 

• force of threat
• attempt to interfere, or actual interference with an activity or process
• intimidation or oppression
• motivated by bias towards victims actual or perceived race, religion etc. 
• exercise of legal right by the victim of a right secured by constitution (US, MA)

• assigning a victim advocate
• confidentiality
• protection of the integrity of the investigation 
• protection of juvenile offenders
• collaboration with the DA to pursue charges
• attempts at building and maintaining relationship with victims 
• Juvenile Diversion Program
• restorative justice in certain cases

• education on the history of antisemitism and how it is impacting communities like ours
• action steps we take to promote safety and respond to hate
• partnering with other communities to stand up against all forms of hate

• I gained a new understanding that juveniles often aren’t charged with a crime and that the police and school partner to implement restorative justice. Good to see that the police partners with the community.

• I didn't realize that our schools could be held legally responsible for not addressing bullying, hazing and enforcing discipline.

• Some of the information regarding police protocols was new to me.

• There is a great deal that goes on behind the scenes with NPD and NPS and the part that involves individuals cannot be made public. Most people are unaware of these protocols which can be a problem because people think there has been no response or an inadequate one.

• I had not realized that the diversion program was created to fill an accountability/learning vacuum because there's no legal consequence when a minor enacts a hate crime in a public, non-school setting.

• A more in-depth review of police and school protocols would be valuable.

• I would like to see more interactive and story-based school district assemblies, community meetings, etc.  

• It's important that communities know what the protocols are, and why they are what they are. The limits and protocols that the police are required to follow may seem to have little impact on the perpetrator through the lens of those that have been victimized.

• Publicizing the procedures is important, including examples of how various types of incidents are handled. People tend to talk with friends and neighbors, and post on social media, such as the Needham FB page. Sometimes the person who is targeted posts there, some have gone to a town group like the police, usually not. People are distressed about the incident and often about the response. Readers respond with advice and strong opinions, often not based on any factual information. It can be hard to untangle these events once they have been publicized on social media. Finding places for posting about the official protocols is key. Communications that happen within the school community are sent to students, staff and parents but are not seen by the rest of the community.

• I really wish there were a robust disability awareness curriculum in the schools so that neurodiversity can be normalized, and kids have an opportunity to learn and ask questions about ability differences. 

• Utilize the practice: “Simple, easy to understand- remember”’ or "See something, say something". We could accidentally respond incorrectly if we do not have all the facts. Gathering all the information takes time so we need an easy-to-understand communication that describes - "Pause, patience, we're gathering all the facts".

• It is important that the community response teams are proactive in informing the community of the protocols. This way when issues arise, we can spend time reacting to the issue and not the protocols that may influence the preferred outcome.

• A community response protocol would need to be developed with honest input from the groups that currently have protocols - NPD, NPS and HRC and probably some town protocols. NRN has a robust representation of other groups that might be responding such as NDI, EJN, houses of worship, political parties and various identity groups. A community response has to be one that develops trust from community groups and is widely known to resident groups.

• The Needham Interfaith Clergy Association has talked about developing some generic responses that could help the group respond quickly in a crisis situation.

• I wish the police had more information about the disabilities of kids. That would be useful generally. I assume that if a child with a disability causes a hate crime, the police would be informed about the disability and the consequence would be skill-level appropriate.