Worcester hears hours of testimony after DOJ summary alleging police abuses; council asks manager for response

Worcester City Council on a packed night devoted dozens of public speakers to responses after a Department of Justice summary alleged that some Worcester Police Department officers committed sexual assaults and other misconduct against unhoused and prostituted women. Survivors, advocates and community organizers urged the council to issue a formal apology, allocate a building for a women-only shelter and provide financial and mental-health support for people harmed by the conduct outlined in the DOJ summary.

“Please put a stop to this and redress our concerns as soon as possible,” said Amy Ebison, a Rutland resident who said the city must “believe survivors” and treat the DOJ findings as evidence of a systemic culture that allows abuse. Sati, identified in the public comment as coordinator of Project Priceless, said the group had already lost members…