Boston Police

I teach at a local university. Part of my curriculum involves discussing undesirable behavior on the part of police departments. I usually draw from local examples because it helps the students understand and discuss the issues in greater depth. If I really wanted to, I can be highly critical of the Boston Police Department and cite examples and studies. Much of what I try to do is call attention to social and structural influences on bad behavior because most of these problems are systemic in nature. Are there bad cops out there? Sure, but most bad behavior is related to training, internal incentives, and a social structure that reifies racialized understandings of behaviors, criminality, etc.

I personally have had a good relationship with my local district police department. For the most part, they've come when I've called about noisy neighbors who were running an illegal club on the third floor of our triple decker (we don't live there anymore). I know the community liaison and have met the captain. I believe they've been as open as they can be around incidents in our neighborhood. However, I also know that their officers have a tendency to profile Latino youth and this has caused unnecessary tension between the youth and the police department. I've also seen some of the officers summarily dismiss concerns that citizens bring to their attention. Unfortunately, those citizens tend to be Latino and the officers I've witnessed doing this are not. So, while I generally have a positive view of the local district, there is room for improvement.

Yesterday, I came home from work around 6:30 or 7 pm. As I approached the corner to my place I could see flashing lights and construction equipment. As I got closer I noticed the sound of a jackhammer. I rounded the corner and found the Boston Water and Sewer Commission doing something. I did not ask because they all looked rather busy and I figure they would not be there at that hour unless they had a job to do. I generally believe that they don't just go digging into the sidewalk unless there is a reason to do so.

I also noticed a police officer knocking on my neighbors door a few doors down. I got concerned that maybe there was a problem so I approached and asked him if there was a problem. He told me that he was trying to get the owner of the car parked on the sidewalk next to where they were jackhammering so that the owner can move it (no, it wasn't our car). The car was not in the way, but the officer thought they should have the opportunity to move it so that it doesn't get damaged.

I thought that was nice. He didn't need to do that, but a small gesture like that showed that he cared about my neighbors. So, while there is improvements that need to be made, I don't think they are doing too bad of a job.