Public Safety
Public Safety
Patrick: State prepared for flu crisis, urges people to get shots
Jan. 10, 2013
The entire state is in the midst of what appears to be a higher-than-usual influenza epidemic, but state officials said there is no need to declare a public health emergency as Boston Mayor Tom Menino did yesterday. Read more
Let’s all get the Greenway back on track
By
One of the big unresolved news stories of the last year has been the Neponset Greenway and the state’s so-far unsuccessful efforts to get funding to extend the multi-use trail into Mattapan and to make enhancements along Dorchester Bay. Last year saw a second bid for federal grant money fall short— outcomes that were disappointing but also predictable, given the odds. Read more
Think about children everywhere when talking about mass violence
Jan. 9, 2013
In the aftermath of the horror of the Newtown massacre and the nation’s reaction to it, one notices the contrast between the grief and resolve evident after this unspeakable crime and the apathy that prevails when “collateral damage” includes the unintended death of innocent children.
How many thousands of children have been killed by our forces in the wars of the last half century, from Vietnam to Afghanistan? That they were unintended consequences may assuage the conscience of those responsible, but it does not diminish the loss or ease the pain and sorrow of loved ones. Read more
Why shouldn’t we just eliminate guns?
Jan. 9, 2013
To the Editor:
The primary function of a firearm is to kill people. Killing people is what most guns are specifically designed to do. This fact begs the following questions:
Since the 30,000 gun deaths per year in the United States are nearly all murders, suicides and accidents, and few deaths are prevented by armed self-defense, why are guns valued for self-defense?
Since many children are killed by guns, why would a parent want to possess one? Read more
Two men charged as drug dealers after raid that netted cocaine, guns, ammo
By
Two men were ordered held in lieu of $500,000 bail at their arraignment Wednesday after police say they found nine weapons, 1,000 rounds of ammunition and 250 grams of cocaine in individually wrapped packages in a raid at their 12 Rill St. home, according to Boston Police and the Suffolk County District Attorney's office.
Estuardo Castillo-Guzman, 43, was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of ammunition and trafficking cocaine. Amilcar Castillo, 45, was charged with trafficking cocaine, following the raid around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Read more
Boston confronting aggressive flu bug
By
A severe strain of influenza is hitting Boston — and the region— hard, prompting renewed calls for uninfected people to get vaccinated as hospitals and health centers cope with bulging waiting rooms. The city of Boston has recorded ten times more flu cases so far this season than in the entire season in 2012— a fact that has triggered concern among police makers and health care providers. Read more
UMass will test loudspeaker system on Friday
Jan. 9, 2013
UMass Boston will test a new public address system on Friday morning (Jan. 11) at 11 a.m. The system— which will amplify pre-recorded messages for different types of emergencies using loudspeakers— is designed to reach the entire campus, but not go into the neighborhoods. Still, the university has alerted neighbors on Columbia Point and Columbia/Savin Hill, just in case the sound carries further than expected. There will be at least two test messages conducted in the coming weeks, officials say.
Menino on State of City: ‘Of course I’ll be able to stand’
By
Mayor Thomas Menino on Friday batted back a reporter’s question about whether he’ll have the stamina to stand during his State of the City address planned for later this month.
“Of course I’ll be able to stand. I’ve already tried. I’ve practiced it already. I’m ready to go,” said Menino, who has been recuperating at the city-owned Parkman House on Beacon Hill after lengthy stays at Brigham and Women’s and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.
He quipped, “You guys will see it. It will be live and in color. Popping out of a box. ‘Wow, he’s back.’” Read more
Globe's ‘68 Blocks’ series was well worth the effort
By
The Boston Globe’s recent in-depth series that focused on Dorchester’s Bowdoin-Geneva neighborhood was, in most ways, outstanding. The package of stories and multi-media presentations on the newspaper’s website— titled “68 Blocks: Life, Death, Hope” was published over a five-day period between Dec. 16 and Dec. 20. The full series remains prominently featured on the newspaper’s website. If you haven’t read it, we encourage you to do so and to form your own opinions (perhaps even before reading this sampling of ours.) Read more
On Hendry Street, residents say they’ve turned the corner
Jan. 3, 2013
Neighbors from Hendry Street and nearby streets gathered at the Pasciucco Apartments on Bowdoin Street last Friday for a holiday party that was organized in part by Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation. Photo by Tayla Holman
Residents from one of Bowdoin-Geneva’s most well-known addresses— Hendry Street— gathered last Friday evening for a holiday party that was billed as a celebration, in part, to mark what neighbors say have been marked improvements in their quality of life since a troubled property was condemned last year and cleared of criminal elements. Read more
