Northampton’s chief of police and an Amherst College student are among 17 people selected for the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes.
Chief Jody Kasper and Amherst College sophomore Deborah “DJ” Williams have been appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to help advise him on deterrence and prevention of hate crimes and support of victims.
“It’s a great honor to be the youngest person on this task force,” Williams, 18, said.
Baker is re-establishing the task force that former Republican Gov. William Weld initially created in 1991. Other appointees include Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, Dara Kaufman, executive director of the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, and Robert O. Trestan, executive director of the New England regional office of the Anti-Defamation League.
“Our administration is committed to making Massachusetts a safe and welcoming place with zero tolerance for hate or violence,” Baker said in a statement.
The task force is expected to meet quarterly at minimum and is charged with creating an annual report. The group will also encourage and assist agencies in reporting of hate crimes as well as analyze and publicize hate crime reports.
As police chief, Kasper said, she sees this issue through “a law enforcement lens” and is curious to hear the perspectives and experiences of others on the task force.
“We have a lot going in our country, certainly, and in our communities, as well, and hate incidents, hate crimes are one of those things,” Kasper said. “I feel like this is really important work to be doing right now.”
Kasper said she is looking forward to talking about what community leaders can do to address some of these issues.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Williams attended high school at the Middlesex School in Concord. It was there that she made the connections that would lead to her seat on the task force.
Active in social justice issues, Williams said she first learned about the task force at a friend’s house and never thought she’d be a part of the group once it formed.
But after being asked if she’d like to join and submitting her resume, Williams found herself among a state trooper, a university chancellor and a district attorney at the Statehouse being sworn in.
“I’m honored,” Williams said.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.