Police and Fire

Listening Sessions: Share Your Thoughts on Police Body Cameras, Implicit Bias Training, Use of Force and More

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Residents are being asked to provide community feedback during listening sessions of the Boston Police Reform Task Force starting July 22. The gathered input will be used to review the BPD's policies, practices, and to recommend reform measures. Residents are being asked to share their experiences on any of the four topics that are being covered:

The Body Worn Camera Program: Wednesday, July 22, 3-5 pm
Implicit bias training: Thursday, July 23, 3-5 pm
Strengthening Boston's existing police review board, known as the Co-op Board: Wednesday, July 29, 3-5 pm
Reviewing the use of force policies: Thursday, July 30, 3-5 pm

Testimony can also be submitted in any language either written or via the WebEx listening sessions. Written testimony can also be submitted before or after the listening sessions by emailing BPDTaskforce@boston.gov. You can also learn more information on how to participate at boston.gov/ending-racism. The Task Force will submit their initial recommendations by August 14, 2020.

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City Services

Fireworks Complaints Exploding! Up 5,543% in June 2020 Compared to June 2019

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We've all noticed that there has been an increase in renegade fireworks being shot off across the city this month. There have been so many complaints to the city that Mayor Walsh created a task force to tackle the issue of illegal fireworks. "Fireworks are a serious issue not only in the city of Boston, but all across the country. People lose sleep, babies get woken up, some people with PTSD experience real harms, pets are terrified and they're fire hazards," said Mayor Walsh. Fireworks calls to the Boston Police Department were up by 5,543% in June 2020 compared to the previous June, according to a city press release.

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Police and Fire

Boston Police Commissioner Defends Meeting with AG Barr

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U.S. Attorney General William Barr was in Boston on Thursday and met with Boston Police Commissioner William Gross. That meeting sparked criticism from many elected officials, and led to Gross defending why he met with the controversial head of the Department of Justice. The U.S. Department of Justice tweeted out a photo of Barr and Gross shoulder-to-shoulder, and not wearing masks together in Boston. Supposedly it was the first time a sitting U.S. Attorney General had visited the Boston Police Department. As chief legal counsel to the president, Barr has most recently been widely condemned for ordering peaceful protestors to be teargassed in Washington D.C. to clear the way for President Trump to walk where the protestors were occupying so he could do a photo op.

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Government

Mayor Walsh Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis and Reallocates BPD Overtime $

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Saying that Boston needs to be a leader in battling racism, Mayor Marty Walsh declared racism a public health crisis. He also announced that 20% or $12 million of the Boston Police Department's overtime budget will be reallocated as investments in equity and inclusion in the city. "In Boston, we embrace the opportunity this moment and this movement offers us," said Walsh on Friday. "We stand with our Black community and communities of color to lead the change toward a more just and equitable society. With these actions, we will increase equity in public safety and public health, and launch a conversation that can produce lasting, systemic change to eliminate all the ways that racism and inequality harm our residents."

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Police and Fire

First Responders Line Streets as Officer Fontanez’s Body Escorted to Jamaica Plain

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Boston Police officers and fellow first responders lined the streets on Thursday as District E-13 Officer Jose Fontanez's body was escorted from Boston Medical Center to Jamaica Plain. District 6 City Councilor posted a video of the procession as it passed District E-13. First responders stood at attention while obeying social distancing as the hearse drove from Boston Medical Center to Mann & Rodgers Funeral Home in Jamaica Plain. Fontanez passed away from COVID-19 on Tuesday, becoming the first Boston Police officer to die from the disease. Fontanez was a 29-year veteran of BPD, and had been stationed out of District E-13 in Jamaica Plain since 1996.

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Coronavirus

Longtime Jamaica Plain BPD Officer Dies Due to COVID-19

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A 29-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, who's served Jamaica Plain's E-13 District since 1996, died due to complications of the Coronavirus on Tuesday. At a press conference at BPD Headquarters, Mayor Marty Walsh and BPD Commissioner William Gross said Officer Jose Fontanez passed away. Fontanez was 53 and had four children. "We lost a hero today to this virus," said Walsh. Fontanez earned several commissioner's commendations throughout his career, said Gross.

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Police and Fire

One Person Dead After Tense Stand-off on Wyman Street

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One man is dead after a tense stand-off on Saturday night at a bed and breakfast on Wyman Street. At this time it is not clear whether the man was killed by police, or if he took his own life, as it is an active investigation, said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross at the scene on Saturday night. BPD responded to a report of a domestic incident at 21 Wyman Street around 10:01 pm, said Gross. Upon arrival, police saw a man outside of the location, who ran into the building and fired a handgun at police. It is not known at this time what connection, if any, the man had to the location.

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Boston Police Department

National Night Out Entertains Hundreds in Jamaica Plain, Honors Community Members

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With many thanks to a lot of support from many community partners, the Boston Police
Department hosted the annual, “National Night Out”, in Jamaica Plain on August 5. Hundreds of friends, supporters and elected officials gathered on Metcalf Court in the South Street Apartments for an evening of food, music, awards, entertainers, games, demonstrations, education, camaraderie and more. Four local neighbors were awarded for their selfless contributions to their community. Wendy Polanco of the Mildred Hailey Tenants’ Task Force was awarded by Mayor Walsh as the Boston Crime Fighter of the Year for her constant efforts to improve the lives of her neighbors. Francisco Fernandez was awarded by District 6 City Councilor Matt O’Malley, for his Community Service to the South Street neighborhood through his hard work at the Happy Market.

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Boston Police Department

Celebrate National Night Out with Mayor, BPD Commish in JP on August 5

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Everyone is welcome to join Mayor Marty Walsh in celebrating National Night Out in Jamaica Plain on August 5. Mayor Walsh will be joined by Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, BPD Command Staff -- and there will be free kids activities, food, entertainment, as well awards for Boston's crime watch groups. This is a free event being held at the South Street Apartments (125 South St., Metcalf Court Parking Lot) on Monday, August 5 from 4 to 8 pm. National Night Out started in 1984 by bringing civic groups, community organizations, police, residents and more together. More than 2.5 million people participated in the first National Night Out.  Now more than 38 million participate annually.

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Opinion

Mayor Walsh: How We’re Working to Ensure BPD Reflects and Serves Our Neighborhoods

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Last month, we welcomed the Boston Police Academy's newest recruits. These men and women had spent the last six months learning to serve and protect the people of Boston with the highest standards of excellence and professionalism. As each recruit crossed the stage, they stopped to shake hands with me and Commissioner Gross. It was a powerful experience meeting each and every new member of our city’s police department, which is the oldest — and the best — in the nation. Among these recruits are veterans, former teachers, and youth sports coaches.

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