Youths eye better MBTA relations

In a press conference at the Jackson Square T Station attended by Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan, the Hyde Square Task Force asked the Transit Police to create an officer-youth advisory board; institute regular, mandatory training workshops for officers; and reinstate a community advisory board.

MacMillan said that more training for officers was already in the works, but that it is unclear if other demands will be met.

“I’m not exactly sure we’re going to meet each of their demands, but we are going to work with them to address their concerns,’’ MacMillan said by phone. “The fact of the matter is, we need to communicate and cooperate and build a good foundation.’’

Chrismaldi Vasquez, 24, the group’s manager of organizing and policy initiatives, said she is appalled that plans have not been made to meet all of the group’s demands.

“I’m shocked that they’re not taking the actual demands very seriously,’’ Vasquez said. “It’s very evident that there’s a problem with our urban youth and the police, and they are not jumping onboard with solutions that youths have created themselves.

“It’s not every day that you see youth come together, create a solution to a problem, and ask authorities to work with them to implement them.’’

Teenagers from the organization surveyed 700 of their peers who attend Boston public schools and ride the T on a daily basis. The findings show tension between Transit Police officers and youths, Vasquez said.

The survey found that 35 percent of those responding had heard a Transit Police officer using “insults with racially charged words,’’ and 48 percent had seen a transit officer pushing or shoving.

Seventy-five percent disagreed or strongly disagreed that officers “are skilled in communicating with teens.’’

“I was surprised at the results of the survey, because I thought we were on a good course,’’ MacMillan said.

“Obviously, we need to do more work. I look forward to working with them to have more positive interactions with the youth.’’

MacMillan added that thousands of teenagers take the T to school, meaning that Transit Police officers have a greater number of interactions than other police officers might.

Samantha Brea, 17, a student at Snowden International High School in Copley Square who is a member of the task force and involved with the survey from its inception, said the group is determined to improve the relationship.

“The whole goal of this is obviously to see change,’’ Brea said. “Even if we might not get it now, this is not something that’s going to die overnight.

“We’re going to keep working on it. We’re going to keep doing what we have to do to make sure change happens.’’

The task force decided to conduct the survey because of complaints about Transit Police from young people, Brea said.

Student volunteers conducted the surveys at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority stations and in Boston high schools in February, March, and April.

“The youth have been working very hard on this,’’ Vasquez said. “They’re really excited about seeing change, especially in the train stations that they walk by every day. This is not over until there’s change.’’