Cuppa’ Joe “After Hours” Featuring Police Chief Gabriel Ting and Emergency Communications Center Supervisor Jason Rushford
Photo: amherstma.gov
The Town of Amherst invites community members for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman, Police Chief Gabriel Ting, and Emergency Communications Center Supervisor Jason Rushford on Wednesday, February 11 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Community Room of the Amherst Police Station.
This will be the first Cuppa’ Joe with Paul “After Hours” event. The goal is to host some of these community engagement sessions on weeknights, rather than just the traditional Friday mornings, to ensure that all residents have the opportunity to participate.
The Amherst Police Department consists of 46 sworn officers, a professional emergency communications center, and a dedicated support staff. Chief Ting and Supervisor Rushford will share updates on various initiatives within their departments, including 2025 statistics, the dispatch process, and community engagement efforts. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, learn more about public safety, and connect with your local leaders.
The “Cuppa’ Joe with Paul” events are monthly and rotate locations around Town. Each time, Paul is joined by a different Town department head or official who provides insights into their area of focus. Residents and others are welcome to share their concerns, offer suggestions, or just get to know each other.
Questions for Ting:
1) Why hegave the green light for APD personnel to, at the very least aid and assist, at worst participate directly, in the beating and pepper spraying of peaceful, pro-human rights protesters on the UMass campus in 2024?
2) Why does his department need an APC and other military grade weapons systems?
3) And where could APD make some painful budgetary choices, just like the fiscally-compromised public services offered by other departments?
4) How is APD responding to the presence of ICE and other extralegal, paramilitary organizations operating Amherst? LEOs are notorious for expressing far-right sympathies online and in their social circles. Who does APD protect and serve?