Community Celebrates Third Anniversary of Town’s Civilian Responder Service
CRESS director Camille Theriaque reviewed the accomplishments of the civilian responder service at the celebration of its third anniversity, September 22, 2025. Photo: Norah Stewart
The scent of delicious grilled food and the sound of upbeat music enriched the atmosphere under the pavilion at Mill River Recreation Area while CRESS responders, community members, and town council candidates conversed and connected at the celebration of the third anniversary of the Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service (CRESS).
On September 21, the CRESS team, including Director Camille Theriaque, hosted CRESS day at the Mill River Recreation Area where about 30 members of the Amherst community were able to gather, learn about the civilian responder alternative to the police and connect with responders.
CRESS was established by the town of Amherst in 2022, per the Community Safety Working Group’s (CSWG) recommendation–in the wake of George Floyd’s death, as an unarmed alternative to policing.
Currently, CRESS is facing major budget cuts including a 20% reduction in staff while the Amherst Police Department (APD) received a 6.1% increase in budget for the fiscal year 2025. Moreover, calls that do not require an armed police response aren’t being dispatched to CRESS as was envisioned in the town’s original implementation plan. Rather, those calls only go to APD, according to the town’s Community Safety and Social Justice Committee (CSSJC).
Nonetheless, some Amherst residents prefer an alternative to the APD and contact CRESS directly. Despite limited resources, CRESS has responded to 42 calls in June and 1,239 since the group was established.
Town Councilor Hala Lord (District 3), is among those who thinks CRESS is essential. “We need a place where we can turn to get help where we’re not criminalized,” she said. Lord was among the first to arrive at CRESS Day, assisting in setting up beforehand and helping serve food to other community members in attendance.
Salad, cheeseburgers, hotdogs and veggie burgers were served throughout the celebration with Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Philip Avila, cooking on the grill.
At many instances during the event, attendees and responders were swaying and dancing to the music provided by a DJ. Children were seen having a great time on the playground next to the pavilion.
Theriaque gave a speech expressing how grateful she was to everyone who showed up to celebrate CRESS. “[CRESS is] here, we show up when people need us,” she said .She was followed with remarks from Lord, Town Council President Lynn Griesemer and CSSJC Co-Chairs Debora Ferreira and Allegra Clark.