SUMMER VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM APPROVED
With shootings on the rise, councilors debate funding for annual regional policing initiative A state-funded grant that has been used for many years by the Somerville Police to combat youth violence was subjected to two heated discussions last week, before being approved by the City Council. The question was whether to accept a $22,692 grant […]
COUNCIL WANTS COPS OFF CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
Final decision on using civilian flaggers to be made by Mayor Ballantyne and City staff (Somerville Wire) – The City Council has approved a resolution in favor of civilians taking control over traffic details at construction sites. “I have never really understood why traffic details are exclusively worked by police officers,” Ward 3 Councilor Ben […]
OPINION: COMMUNITY GATHERS FOR FILM SCREENING AND PANEL ON SCHOOL POLICING
On Monday, April 11, about 100 people attended a screening of the award winning documentary “On These Grounds”. The documentary focuses on a viral video of a white School Resource Officer body slamming a 16-year-old, disabled Black girl, and was screened at the Somerville Theatre by organizers in Justice for Flavia with permission from Represent […]
SOMERVILLE WIRE: APRIL 12, 2022 WEEKLY ROUNDUP
Sleep In Sleep Out event … and an SPD injury Articles EDITORIAL: SHIRA LAUCHAROEN SAYS GOODBYE After a wonderful year serving Somerville, the reporter begins new steps CITY PARTNERS WITH FENWAY HEALTH FOR SUPERVISED CONSUMPTION SITE Managers, officials, and task force members say we must save people from overdoses Shorts Somerville Homeless Coalition to hold […]
SOMERVILLE WIRE: APRIL 5, 2022 WEEKLY ROUNDUP
A documentary screening about police in schools, a discussion about government sponsored racism in housing, and the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program Articles DONATE TO THE SOMERVILLE MEDIA FUND! Somerville Media Center and BINJ join forces to create municipal foundation to support nonprofit community journalism HOW DOES THE FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM AT THE GLX WORK? Pols […]
SOMERVILLE WIRE: MARCH 15, 2022 WEEKLY ROUNDUP
No more mask mandate for City buildings, a police staffing and operations analysis, and a Makers Movement Huddle Articles SMART BOXES COME TO SOMERVILLE Will the City’s pilot program be a step towards addressing the rat problem? BUSINESS PROFILE: MAHALAB BAKERY “Artisanal Mediterranean products with a twist” OPINION: TYING UP SOME LOOSE ENDS Reflecting on […]
TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT GRANT RAISED ISSUES OF EQUITY
Photo by Chris Yarzab The City Council voted to not approve the award (Somerville Wire) – For the first time in 10 years, Somerville’s City Council voted to turn down a grant that the Somerville Police Department has routinely received, which would have expanded its traffic enforcement capabilities. Three councilors voted in favor of the […]
SOMERVILLE WIRE: FEBRUARY 8, 2022 WEEKLY ROUNDUP
A meeting to discuss the new Public Safety Building, a preschool and child care financial assistance initiative, and donations from Revolutionary Clinics Articles RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT PLANS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING An increased police presence does not necessarily make people feel safer ARTIST PROFILE: CHRISTINA TEDESCO Paintings, drawings, and illustrations that tell a story […]
JUSTICE FOR FLAVIA PRODUCES NEW MODEL MOU FOR SOMERVILLE SCHOOLS
The document causes officials and community members to ask, what should the role of police be in schools? (Somerville Wire) – Justice for Flavia, an organization that was established in the aftermath of a case where Somerville Public Schools called police on a 6-year-old boy, released a model MOU for school districts and police departments, […]
OPINION: ON SOMERVILLE’S NOVEMBER 2ND BALLOT, ABOLISH THE SOMERVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT – YES OR NO?
“[T]he repeated message from the Democratic Socialists of America-Boston candidates for office in Somerville is clear: the outright abolition of the Somerville Police Department.”
