Bustlin' Bill Reaches Out to Immigrants

PPH:

The Westbrook Human Relations Committee will serve
as a liaison between minority groups-- including immigrants and refugees--and
city officials. The committee is the brainchild of Police Chief William Baker,
who started a similar group 10 years ago as a chief dealing with a wave of
immigration in Laconia, N.H. Baker said Westbrook is going through a similar
change. He said he hopes the ad hoc committee will help local police build trust
and familiarity with the city's latest immigrants, who have come in increasing
numbers over the past few years. Police are now called more frequently to homes
where residents don't speak English well and too often have misconceptions about
officers' intentions, Baker said.

- John C.L. Morgan

Related: WPD Cracks Down on Underage Drinking, Etc.