For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015

Contact: Captain Richard Flynn, PIO
Office: 781-316-3907
Cell: 781-844-1224
Email: rflynn@town.arlington.ma.us

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Arlington Police Chief Frederick Ryan Appointed to Communities for Restorative Justice Board

ARLINGTON–  The Arlington Police Department is pleased to report that Chief Frederick Ryan has been appointed to the board of directors for Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) to further the organization’s mission by assisting victims and offenders of a crime through a healing approach outside the court system.

C4RJ is a community-police partnership that offers restorative justice to those affected by crime. The organization is driven by a group of trained volunteers and is guided by a 11-member board that recognizes crime is a violation of people and relationships, not just a violation of law.

“The Arlington Police Department has been a longtime believer in Communities for Restorative Justice, whose members do fantastic work in multiple cities and towns in Middlesex and Norfolk Counties,” Chief Ryan said. “I’m honored to play an active role in furthering the goals and needs of this organization.  It is an innovative approach to dealing with crime in our communities because it allows the participants to have a voice in responding to crime.”

Through C4RJ’s process, victims of a crime respond to an incident by directly addressing the person who committed the crime. In turn, offenders are given the chance to rectify their actions and avoid a potential criminal conviction on their record.

Partner police departments, like the Arlington Police Department, recommend cases to C4RJ. If the victim and the offender agree to the process, the matter is given to C4RJ, which facilitates a meeting between both parties, putting the decision making into the hands of those directly affected.

Together, under the guidance of the board of directors and a law enforcement officials, the victim, the offender and their loved ones and supporters, along with community members discuss the crime and find a way to move forward. The process is as follows:

• Victims of crime address the person or people who have harmed them, to ask questions in a safe environment, and to share ideas on ways that the offender can repair the harm.
• Offenders better understand the impact of their actions, are held accountable, and encouraged to make amends to those they have harmed.
• The community offers support for the process, addressing matters of public safety and strengthening connections with the police department.

At the end of the meeting, the offender pledges to change his or her actions, which are often accompanied by completing a number of service hours for an appropriate organization. In 60 to 90 days, all parties meet again to check in and reassess the situation.

“By giving victims and offenders of a crime the opportunity to express themselves in a safe environment, we can have a dialogue that yields positive results for both sides,” said Erin Freeborn, Executive Director of C4RJ. “Chief Ryan will serve as a vital player by providing knowledge, experience and resources to all involved. Chief Ryan has been a long-time supporter of restorative justice and we are honored to welcome him into leadership on the board.”

To learn more about C4RJ, watch their video on the restorative process here.

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