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Residents press council for enforcement, training after alleged constable eviction abuses
Summary
Petitioners told the council the city’s use of private constables and the handling of eviction notices have led to threats, inconsistent notices and gaps in police response; they requested training for police and review of constable practices.
Residents and tenant advocates urged Worcester City Council to require training and clearer rules for constables and to ensure police enforce criminal statutes when constable conduct crosses legal lines.
Grace Ross, who filed the petition, said constables have sent notices threatening physical removal and that some constables act as if they possess police powers the city has not granted. Ross asked the council to require police training on what statutes apply and to verify which constables hold the state use-of-force certification the department cites when responding to evictions.
Ross said the group provided examples of inconsistent 48-hour notices and a list of criminal statutes they believe are being ignored; she asked the council to direct the police department to enforce crimes such as unlawful entry, theft and assault where constable actions exceed civil authority. Petitioners also asked the city to revisit the reappointment of Angel Santana as a marshal/constable given earlier complaints.
Council members and staff acknowledged the petitions and said the matter required follow-up. Petitioners said they had been told earlier that public meetings would follow a prior unanimous council order, but they reported no dates had been scheduled and that they remained concerned. The clerk’s office and city manager were asked to review the petition materials and provide a briefing to council or the appropriate committee.
Ending: The petition was submitted and discussed; councilors asked staff for follow-up and for the clerk’s office to share petition lists with the district councilors and committee. No formal vote or ordinance change was recorded at the meeting on this petition.
