Those first ripples from that stone cast upon the water by the state legislature known as police reform (Bill s.2963) or the hidden tax on volunteerism is now making its way across Massachusetts communities.
The over the top standards imposed by the legislature in this bill including 2,400 hours training in a police cruiser for auxiliary police departments were deemed too stringent by many police departments including nearby Framingham who disbanded their auxiliary department. Holliston soon followed suit as did others around the state.
Needless to say but without Holliston’s Auxiliary Police Department – all volunteers- the many organizations which depended on this group must now pay for the regular department for police details. This past August 17th concert at Blair Square by the Claflin Hill Orchestra cost the town’s anniversary committee over $800 for a police detail consisting of two officers for street crossing duty. Over $100 per hour per officer for four hours. Compare that to the musicians who earned $100 for the night.
The town’s Economic Development Committee had hoped that the renovation at Blair Square would spur activity at the park thereby creating business for local businesses. But any organization requiring a police detail at the park may be hard pressed to overcome the staggering sums charged for crossing guards.
Before the amount of the police details became apparent, I discussed with Selectboard Chairwoman Tina Hein the possibility of forming a 250th Anniversary Committee for America’s birthday in 2026. Those future celebrations may well be dashed by the legislature’s new hidden tax upon volunteer organizations raising funds for a variety of causes.
King George III from 250 years ago with his stamp act and tea tax would be rightly proud of the Massachusetts Legislature for axing so many volunteer police men and women along with future volunteers to so many organizations in one fell swoop. We have met the enemy and they are us. It may be time to rebel once again.
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Who is the legislator that proposed this, and what was the rationale for it?
You can read the details here: https://www.progressivemass.com/police-reform-bill-conference-report-2020/