Boston, MA
After violence, Boston city councilor urges police leadership to request backup for weekend festival, events
Citing concerns with violence and low staffing levels, a Boston city councilor formally requested that police department leadership enlist the help of outside law enforcement agencies to “ensure public safety” at this weekend’s festival and events.
City Councilor Ed Flynn made the request in a Tuesday email sent to Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox and Superintendent Lanita Cullinane, citing the need for increased enforcement at the “many events” scheduled this weekend, including the Caribbean Carnival celebration — which was associated with a mass shooting last year.
“I am respectfully requesting for the Boston Police Department to formally request law enforcement assistance of neighboring cities and towns for this weekend with many events taking place across the city, including the Caribbean parade,” Flynn wrote in the email, which was obtained by the Herald.
“Please note I have heard directly from members of the Boston Police Department, city residents and businesses on concerns about our staffing levels, as there are a number of events or large gatherings scheduled,” the councilor added. “Therefore, I am asking if we can identify any assistance from other police departments throughout Greater Boston, including our affiliation with the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region, that would help our city and department to ensure public safety this weekend.”
Flynn’s request follows concerns cited earlier this week by Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, the city’s largest union, who said that although the department will deploy an all-hands-on-deck approach at Saturday’s Caribbean festival and parades, there aren’t enough available officers to appropriately cover regular citywide patrols and concurrent large-scale events.
A police source within the department told the Herald that police have a “heightened sense of alertness” every year heading into the Caribbean festival, which is known for “violence” and “gunplay.”
Eight people were shot during the J’ouvert, a morning parade associated with the Carnival, last summer, and this year’s event is occurring soon after last Sunday’s violence at the Dominican Festival in Franklin Park, where five people were shot.
Flynn, who drew blowback after pitching a pause on events in the downtown and on Boston Common, due to a stabbing in Downtown Crossing that nearly killed a man, said Wednesday that residents and business owners in the area “are asking for public safety support due to the violence taking place.”
Mariellen Burns, a spokesperson for the Boston Police Department, said BPD already coordinates with city agencies and law enforcement partners for the scheduled events.
“We thank the councilor for his input,” Burns said in a statement. “The department has been working for many months with the organizers of the yearly events scheduled for this weekend. As we do in all of our planning efforts, we’ve made adjustments to the events themselves and to our deployment, to support public safety in the best ways possible.
“Leading up to the events and throughout the weekend we will continue to take the feedback of the community, intelligence and data into account to proactively mitigate or address any issues,” Burns added. “This year, as in years past, we will partner with other city agencies and law enforcement partners who have jurisdiction in the areas where the events take place.”
Mayor Michelle Wu’s office deferred comment to BPD, but said earlier this week that the city and Caribbean Carnival organizers debriefed after last year’s event, and “decided to change the location of the J’ouvert for the best experience and for safety.”
Originally Published:
The Boston Red Sox are wrapping up a series with the Houston Astros on Wednesday afternoon and Sox’ star Jarren Duran is looking to add onto his already historic season.
Durran, who won the All-Star Game MVP, is also likely to finish in the Top-10 in the American League in MVP voting. He’s been the lineup catalyst for Alex Cora’s group and is a main reason why the Red Sox are just 3.5 games back of a playoff spot entering play on Wednesday.
He’s also made some unique and special Red Sox history this year, per @SoxNotes on social media:
Through 125 team games, Jarren Duran has 153 hits, 68 XBH, and 31 stolen bases.
He is the only Red Sox player ever with 30+ steals, 65+ XBH, and 150+ hits through 125 games.
The last players to do that were Alfonso Soriano (2002), Alex Rodriguez (1998), and Willie Mays (1957).
Through 125 team games, Jarren Duran has 153 hits, 68 XBH, and 31 stolen bases.
He is the only Red Sox player ever with 30+ steals, 65+ XBH, and 150+ hits through 125 games.
The last players to do that were Alfonso Soriano (2002), Alex Rodriguez (1998), and Willie Mays (1957).
— J.P. Long (@SoxNotes) August 21, 2024
The former seventh-round draft pick out of Long Beach State is hitting .293 this year with 17 homers and 64 RBI. He’s stolen 31 bases and posted a .350 on-base percentage. He also has a 134 OPS+.
The Red Sox are seeking their first playoff berth since the 2021 season when they advanced all the way to the ALCS. They last won the World Series in the 2018 season. They finished last in the American League East in both 2022 and 2023.
After the Red Sox are done with the Astros on Wednesday, they’ll take on the Arizona Diamondbacks for a new series beginning on Friday night at Fenway Park.
Continue to follow our FanNation on SI coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
A 51-year-old man who had a warrant for his arrest for failing to register as a sex offender is facing new charges after police say he chased people with a machete in downtown Boston Tuesday afternoon.
Boston police arrested John Madej, of South Boston, at around 1 p.m. on Tuesday in the area of Boylston and Charles streets, police said in a statement.
Earlier Tuesday, police went to 10 Park Plaza for a report of a person chasing people with a machete. Officers received a description of the man, who was then seen near Boylston Street and Charles Street. As officers approached the man, he “took up a fighting stance,” police wrote.
Officers arrested the man, later identified as Madej, and found a hunting knife in his front right pants pocket.
Madej was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon, according to police. Officers also determined a warrant had been issued for Madej’s arrest for failure to register as a sex offender.
Madej is expected to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court.
Boston, MA
Fugitive rape suspect found on luxury boat in Wilmington before leading police on chase through LA
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — A fugitive rape suspect from Massachusetts was reportedly found on a massive luxury boat on a marina in Wilmington before he led police on a chase through Los Angeles.
Stephen Paul Gale, 71, was wanted in connection with the 1989 rapes of two women near Boston.
According to WCVB-TV, sources said Gale was found aboard a yacht named The Dior anchored at Seacoast Yachts when police closed in on Aug. 8.
Police believe Gale suspected he was being watched when he got in his SUV and took off, leading police on a lengthy chase. He was taken into custody near the UCLA medical area.
READ MORE | Suspect wanted for 1989 rapes of 2 women in Boston area in custody after LA chase
A man linked to the 1989 rapes of two women in the Boston area was taken into custody after leading police on an hour-long chase through Los Angeles.
Gale allegedly robbed a store in Framingham, located about 20 miles west of Boston, just two days after Christmas in 1989 and sexually assaulted two female employees while holding a gun to their heads. Through DNA testing, investigators were able to positively identify Gale as the suspect.
Information about Gale was distributed nationwide, according to authorities, and a $5,000 reward was offered for tips that would lead to his arrest.
Investigators also said he once had ties to organized crime.
This is a developing story. This article will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
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