Government

Boston Police Union Agrees to Wear Body Cameras in Pilot Program

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The Boston Police have reached a union agreement with the city for up to 100 volunteer patrol officers to wear body cameras in a six-month pilot program. Mayor Martin Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans announced the agreement on Tuesday after the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association (BPPA) agreed to the pilot program. Only patrol officers who volunteer to wear body cameras will be participating in the program. The start date of the program is still being determined. The pilot program will be evaluated after the six-month period to determine the next steps on a potential permanent program. "In Boston, we are fortunate to have strong relationships with our communities and I'm confident that body cameras will serve as another tool for the Boston Police Department to continue their work in the neighborhoods," said Walsh.

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Government

Should Boston Police Wear Body Cameras?

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This week there are several public community meetings discussing a pilot program for Boston Police to wear body cameras. The topic is tense as residents, elected officials and Boston Police are all offering their opinions. [poll id="6"]

A Boston Police pilot program starting in May or June will have 100 police officers wear body cameras. But due to collective bargaining agreements, the individual police will have to volunteer to wear the cameras. Earlier this month Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said that he supports the pilot program, but doesn't think body cameras are needed for police.

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Photo of the Day

Here’s What Centre and Seaverns Used to Look Like

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For our Photo of the Day on Thursdays, we highlight an image of old JP. The occupants of the storefronts along Centre Street are of course always changing. This undated photo from the Boston Public Library's collection shows how Centre and Seaverns, the block that now contains City Feed and (starting Thursday) Hatched, used to look. At the time this was taken, the JP Branch Library was in temporary lodgings on the second floor. [selfie]

If you have a photo that screams (or even whispers) "Jamaica Plain," here are three ways to nominate it as our "Photo of the Day":

Email me at chris@jamaicaplainnews

Tag a picture on Twitter with @02130News

Put your photo in the Jamaica Plain News photo pool on Flickr

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File photo: The Arboretum entrance at Bussey and Walter.
Police and Fire

Police Flood Arboretum Looking for Alleged Man With Rifle; None Found

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On Tuesday about 11:15 a.m., police responded to a report of a man walking in the Arnold Arboretum carrying a rifle. An Arboretum official praised police for their quick reaction, but the patrols didn't turn up any such armed man. Here's what scanner listener stacos heard:

JAMAICA PLAIN: Dude, possb. Armed w/ a Rifle seen going into the Woods at the, Arnold Arboretum, lots o BPD swarming #1116am— Communication Center (@stacos) August 12, 2014

Boston Police Officer Neva Coakley said officers made an extensive search of the area, but found no one matching the description. "The good news is police were highly responsive," said Jon Hetman, communications and stewardship officer for the Harvard University tree museum.

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