The World We Live In

The world is a very dangerous place these days, and it’s evident right here in the Boston area. Recent news stories have included an alleged dirty bomb plot targeting Boston involving Iraqi and Chinese nationals smuggled over the Mexican/US border, as well as an Al-Qaeda link to the MS-13 gang out of East Boston. Dangerous times, indeed, and it is understandable that city government and the public would be anxious about security.

Police Chief Mazzie appeared before the Common Council on Tuesday night, at the request of Councilor Leo McKinnon, who was looking for information about police action against the MS-13 gang, widely believed to be in East Boston and Somerville. The chief assured the Council that his officers had been monitoring gang activity for a long time, and that there had been no up tick in recent activity.

The Council was also interested in making sure that the police department had adequate manpower. Chief Mazzie did reveal that federal funding for hiring police had "dried up", and that community policing resources, which provided for the hiring of new officers, were being put toward Homeland Security. Councilor Catherine Gover questioned the Chief about his staffing needs, in light of a recent Herald article which referenced an intelligence report linking the MS-13 gang to Al Qaeda. Chief Mazzie agreed that he needed more officers, but recognized that current economic conditions would prevent that from happening if the state and federal government didn’t pitch in.

While one can understand the shift towards Homeland Security, it should not come at the expense of community police programs. Grants from the Homeland Security Office have been slow in coming to Everett, and typically provide for training and equipment – but not officers on the street. Let’s hope that our state and federal officials consider renewing community policing programs – before they wish they had.