Checking In on Troy's Human Relations Commission

The commission holds their first meeting of the new year.

At the recent meeting of the Troy Human Relations Commission (HRC), held on January 25th, members convened to outline an ambitious and impactful agenda for the year. The HRC, dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and equitable community, delved into a variety of initiatives aimed at addressing key social issues in Troy.

Reflecting on Progress and Future Initiatives Members took a moment to reflect on the commission's journey, from its early days of meetings at the senior citizen center during the pandemic, to its current state. A strong sense of pride and achievement was expressed in their legacy, particularly in initiatives like the annual Juneteenth Celebration and other efforts in promoting Troy's African-American culture. An exciting announcement was the introduction of a new brochure highlighting Troy's African-American historical sites, complete with a walking map of significant locations. This walking map is available at the City Building and was the culmination of a great deal of research and hard work from the HRC and a couple members of city staff, most notable Salome Hekate and Lauren Karch.

Advancing Inclusion and Community Well-being The commission's discussion also ventured into broader aspects of community well-being and inclusion. The idea of making Troy a "Beloved Community" – a term borrowed from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision – was a recurring theme. This concept focuses on creating a city where all residents, irrespective of background, feel safe, respected, and a part of the community.

Addressing Mental Health and Homelessness A significant portion of the meeting focused on the challenges of mental health and homelessness in the city. The commission is looking to delve into research and data collection, particularly in understanding the needs of the homeless population and those struggling with mental health issues. The commission also acknowledged the increasing number of senior citizens facing homelessness, an issue requiring urgent attention.

Law Enforcement and Community Relations The commission heard from Police Chief Sean McKinney about the challenges in recruitment and retention of police officers. A suggestion was made to explore ways to attract young people to law enforcement careers, especially in the face of societal pressures that is making law enforcement a less attractive career. While it was recognized that the city has worked hard to create competitive salary and benefit packages for police officers, the market for officers is extremely competitive and was described by the Chief as “cut-throat”.

Exploring New Initiatives Several new initiatives were proposed, including addressing the drug epidemic's impact on the community, and finding solutions for the lack of supervised visitation facilities for families affected by separation or civil protection orders. The latter initiative, in particular, aims to provide a safe environment for children to maintain bonds with non-custodial parents.

The Human Relations Commission continues to be a bright spot for the community as they serve the diverse community by brining different experiences and perspectives to the citizens, businesses and visitors of the community. The commission strives to encourage everyone to to take responsibility and action to provide respect and caring for others in every interaction.

To learn more about the city’s Human Relations Commission check out their website here.