AT WEDNESDAY’S virtual community meeting about the plague of dirt bikes and all-night parties overtaking parts of Franklin Park in Boston, ideas for what to do about it ranged from speed bumps to a set-aside area for motor bikers to ride in the park. City Councilor Julia Mejia called for bringing those riding the dirt […]
police
In police licensing, the details matter
THE POLICE KILLINGS of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and other black people have brought renewed, international attention to racism in law enforcement. Thankfully, Massachusetts elected leaders have taken note, and have already proposed some crucial reforms that could make it possible to hold police accountable—to some extent—for misconduct. Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker […]
Police brutality highlights clout of public-sector unions
OUTRAGE OVER THE brutal killing of George Floyd has rightly heightened public scrutiny of police union resistance to desperately needed reforms. Less understandable is the assumption that the police are an anomaly among the most powerful public employee unions when it comes to opposing reform. Of course the actions of other public sector unions don’t lead […]
Baker releases plan to decertify police for misconduct
GOV. CHARLIE BAKER on Wednesday filed a bill that would create a licensing system for police officers across the state and allow a board made up of members of law enforcement and the public to decertify, or fire, officers who engage in misconduct. “This bill will create a more modern, more transparent, and more accountable […]
Local police departments adopting 8 Can’t Wait
AROUND THE COUNTRY, and now in Massachusetts, police departments are adopting a set of policies that could potentially decrease violence inflicted by law enforcement. The “8 Can’t Wait” project seeks to have law enforcement adopt quick and definitive changes to their policies on use of force, which have been questioned in the wake of the killing […]
Local police departments adopting 8 Can’t Wait
Around the country, and now in Massachusetts, police departments are adopting a set of policies that could potentially decrease violence inflicted by law enforcement. The “8 Can’t Wait” project seeks to have law enforcement adopt quick and definitive changes to their policies on use of force, which have been questioned in the wake of the […]
What if we eliminated the police?
I HATE the PO-lice. This is not an easy thing to admit and will certainly generate a great deal of heat, but it is past time to do so. To be clear from the beginning, this hatred is not directed at individuals, whether rank and file or leadership. It is directed at the institution and […]
Focusing in on police actions
Since last summer, when the deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York at the hands of police triggered a national debate on the use of deadly force, there seems to be an increase in high-profile encounters with law enforcement. But is it an increase in incidents or has the ubiquitous […]