The Center for Law and Justice was started about 35 years ago. During that time, Dr. Alice Green says she and others have improved relations between the police and community. But she worries all of that has been destroyed.

"It’s particularly disturbing and infuriating to see our community suffering a grave crisis," says Green.

She says she has not spoken to or heard from either Mayor Kathy Sheehan or Police Chief Eric Hawkins since police dismantled a protest encampment outside of South Station last week.

For Debora Brown Johnson, president of the Albany NAACP, one of the main problems is the city's plan for reforming and reimagining the police department.

"Real transformative change requires commitment, courage and intentional action," says Brown Johnson. "I ask the Albany leadership, how do you see us?"

What You Need To Know

  • Activists say police dismantling a protest encampment has caused a crisis

  • Dr. Alice Green believes the city's police reform and reimagining doesn't go far enough

  • She is in contact with the Albany Common Council

Sheehan and Hawkins supported the decision to dismantle the encampment.

Another person who hasn't heard from either official is Lexis Figuereo, who led the protest and was arrested by police.

"Most people will not sleep in the rain, sleet and snow for the fun of it. It’s not a game. We’re out here, fighting for our lives, plain and simple," says Figuereo.

Demonstrators and members of the media recorded officers covering, or not wearing, their badges during the dismantlement last week.

The mayor's office says Sheehan has asked the department to look into why that happened.

In a statement to Spectrum News, David Galin, Sheehan's chief of staff, said, "To be clear, as soon as Mayor Sheehan learned of reports of officers covering their badge numbers, she directed Chief Hawkins to begin an investigation and hold those who violated department policy accountable."

Green, who was not part of the task force to create the reimagining plan, says she is working with the Common Council to create reforms that address the community's concerns.

"We have not given up hope because now we’re going to turn to the people and to the Common Council to come up with a plan since it didn’t happen through the mayor’s office."

Green hopes the council will be able to present its plans by the fall.