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Crime lab employees urge action on dangerous access route; commission asks department for a plan
Summary
Union representatives told the Police Commission that employees working at the crime lab face flooded, unlit and unmapped routes that have caused vehicle damage, contain suspected asbestos and lead, and produced at least one injury; Deputy Chief Cashman said the department will provide a detailed response plan and the commission scheduled a follow‑up.
Union representatives for crime lab staff told the Police Commission on June 6 that access to the city crime laboratory is hazardous: the route is unlit, unmarked, riddled with potholes and flooding, and union representatives said prior mud tests showed asbestos and lead contamination. They said employees have been forced to shuttle to the lab and that one employee crashed a motorcycle on May 30 on the route and required ambulance transport.
Kim Carter, a union representative with Local 21, said members were paying out of pocket to repair vehicles and asked the commission to reinstate car‑wash vouchers and request that the Crisp Street gate be opened to provide a safer route. A second Local 21 speaker described prior attempted assaults on the base and said cell reception on the route is poor, making emergency calls unreliable.
Deputy Chief Cashman said he had asked for a briefing the morning of the meeting, described the union’s account as "largely very, very accurate," and promised a detailed response plan and a near‑term report back to the commission. Commissioners agreed to calendar a dedicated review of the matter for July 11 and to ask the department for regular updates.
Why it matters: The testimony described documented safety hazards for civilian employees and a recent on‑the‑job injury; the commission committed to follow up and the department promised an action plan.
Quotes: "The road conditions have caused wear and tear on personal vehicles..." Kim Carter said, and Deputy Chief Cashman said, "we remain committed to creating a safe environment for our crime lab employees out there."
