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Police commissioner challenges judges granting Covid-19 releases to prisoners: Let them live in your house
By adamg on Thu, 05/28/2020 - 3:39pm
A normally calm Police Commissioner William Gross exploded in anger at a City Hall press conference today, implying that last night's quintuple shooting had something to do with judges who have granted prisoners and people awaiting trial early releases because of Covid-19 concerns.
Gross provided no specifics tying the shootings - plus another shooting and stabbing in Newmarket Square around the same time - to released prisoners or people awaiting trial, but told reporters assembled at City Hall to "use common sense." He said that because the investigations into both incidents remain open, he couldn't comment anyway.
Gross said the releases have sent a message to "gangbangers," murderers, child rapists and others that they can get away with anything, and that an increase in shootings of late shows they are acting on that. "The mentality on the street is you can do whatever you want."
He said judges need to use common sense as well, that you just can't release people from structured programs, not fully rehabilitated, onto the streets. He challenged judges who release violent criminals: If you feel so comfortable, let them stay in your house.
Gross has made similar objections to such releases before - as has Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins - but not with today's vehemence.
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Comments
Exploded?
Were we watching the same thing. Yes he expressed his frustration but he didn’t explode.
Click bait!
He's made similar comments before
But he seemed way more riled up than before as well. No, he wasn't gesticulating wildly or anything like that.
Irresponsible incitement
If Gross has specific information that anyone that has been released from incarceration due to covid19, and has been arrested for a violent crime, then tell us. Otherwise STFU. You too Oafish.
He did bring up the guy who started shooting at cops
This guy, but the only problem is that he was released in January, so nothing to do with Covid-19. Also, he mentioned this guy, who did get a Covid-19 release, but who hasn't been charged with anything since.
Something for all you Rollins critics out there
Adam and Gross referenced one man with a violent record who had been released but has not been subsequently arrested.
https://www.universalhub.com/2020/da-coronavirus-not-good-enough-reason-...
The article mentions Rollins is challenging the release, which was approved by Suffolk Superior Court Judge Christine Roach.
His comments lately have been
His comments lately have been very disappointing. Accusatory without specifics. Very unprofessional and not productive.
Ooooohhhh
The heady smell of fact-free grandstanding! Musky and piquant!
Great way to socially distance yourself from controversies in other jurisdictions.
Good comment, suburbanite
Methinks that the police commissioner of my city knows a little bit more about violence in my city than you do.
So why doesn't he give these facts?
If there's a direct connection between these two things, why doesn't he make it? Or if he's not able to because it would jeopardize the ongoing investigation - why even bring it up and essentially do the same thing?
Not a suburbanite here Waq
Fields Corner here, trying to discern the difference between fireworks and gunshots in recent nights, but I digress. My friend the army vet says it's mostly fireworks.
I agree that Gross probably knows more than the person who calls herself Swirly about violent crime in Boston. However Gross needs to step up and tell us what's going on, rather than spew his generalizations without facts. If in fact alleged perps have been released from custody recently and have commuted crimes, lets hear about it. So far it just blah blah blah from Gross, and some commenters on Uhub. Let's hear some specifics. So far nothing. Zero. Zilch. If Rollins or some specific judges deserve criticism then let's hear specifics.
Howdy neighbor!
Guess you’re new here. Someday you’ll know the difference between the gun shots and fireworks. Till then I would suggest you listen to someone like Gross and reserve your judgment. Welcome to the neighborhood.
Guns vs Fireworks
Pay attention to two things that will help you identify fireworks .... The timing between each bang or pop is consistent . If you hear bangs and the timing between the bangs is about 2.5 seconds or 3 s xonds between each bang, that's a firework. It's easy to tell. Also, you can usually hear the showering effect or crackling effect of the firework explosions following each bang .
When you hear just bang bang bang with less than a second interval between each bang, and no showering of Sparks that's gunshots..
If youre outside and hear bangs and then feel the air move close to your head , and hear small snaps around your head and body as bullets pass....that's gunshots too, and hit the fucking deck!
Outside of Mattapan Sq.
Years ago, right around July 4. Bunch of fireworks, then in the distance (from near the river) a series of sharp pops, regular cadence.
Sent chills down my spine. You can tell the difference.
So...
...what are the facts about violence in your city, Waquoit? The commish wouldn't talk, but surely you know which cases of recent violence were committed by prisoners released because of covid.
LOL
You are so cute when you play the BOSTON IS THE ONLY CITY WITH CRIME card.
Very irrelevant. I not only live in a city that was once so famous for crime that people told me not to move here because Boston was safer in the 1980s, but I also likely live miles closer to Boston City Hall than you do. I work in Boston, too.
This is a freaking dogwhistle, dear.
You and your homeboy police commissioner need to put up or shut up. Then again, you were never much one for objective facts, stats, and realty.
Guess what?
Even though I live in a very safe part of the city, I am a lot closer to the violent parts than you ever have been.
But please, go on. There's nothing like having people from the suburbs explain to city folks how things in the city are. I think I'll call it "suburbansplaining." "I work in Boston, too." I bet you also have black friends.
Swirly using homeboy in her vernacular
Is a crime of it's own accord.
you should
invite those criminals to stay in your house. you're basically arguing that releasing them is a good thing. please. virtue signal somewhere else.
prisons
There are way too many people in jail in this country. Its a business at this point. We shouldn't be not the business of locking up brown people of we can help it.
Police commish is grandstanding, he's jaded, he can't see the forest from inside all those trees and he's being selfish. Like others said, if he's got facts about recent releases committing violent crime then put up or shut up
Eighth amendment issues
It would be cruel and unusual punishment to make prisoners listen to her rattle on day and night.
"homeboy"?
"homeboy"?
Which dogs are you calling with that whistle?
"This is a freaking dogwhistle, dear."
Christ, she is a condescending fool.
Stay in your own lane, dear.
I went to high school in Roxbury. I remember it being so much more peaceful and tranquil than that Mafia (in da movies!) hotbed of Meffa.
"...your homeboy police commissioner..."
Again, racism rears its ugly head on uhub.
I always knew Karen was a
I always knew Karen was a racist deep down inside.
Did you watch the video?
I thought he made some excellent points.
I also didn't think he seemed to be exploding in anger.
I agree: the Commissioner
I agree: the Commissioner didn't explode. He spoke with measured reason AND passion because he gives a damn about Boston communities. He wan't grandstanding, but there's at least one priviliged suburbanite on here who seem to be grandstanding from the comfort of her house and private driveway!
It's actually kind of a
It's actually kind of a racist reaction that white people have when black people are assertive. They interpret it as aggression.
Ah...these shootings was
Ah...these shootings was happening before covid 19....im just sayin.
Video
It should start at Gross's comments, but just in case it doesn't, they start around 36:00.
Haha
"allllllllegedly..."
That's great.
"The people being let out are
"The people being let out are not fully rehabilitated."
This is not new.
Wait, he's saying they are letting out murderers early? That's not my understanding of what's happening.
Oh and he's claiming that people who have been let our early are committing crimes, but he's not able to confirm or deny that? How convenient.
I like Commissioner Gross and
I like Commissioner Gross and I can see why he is so frustrated. The only fact that my neighbors and I know is that my neighborhood is NOT safe because of the violence that goes on here and the lame court system that results in me constantly reading on UHub about repeat offenders back on the street and committing more crimes.
Your problem
Your problem isn't the court system. It's the incarceration system that doesn't rehabilitate, just punish. It's your legislature that doesn't consider progressive alternatives to how we've always done things.
There are modern incarceration systems in the world that we could emulate where recidivism is minimal. There are socioeconomic legislative improvements we could make to prevent crime from seeming a reasonable alternative to living a shit life.
Would need to first account
Would need to first account for all the other changes: Fewer eyes on the street, greater social tensions, and general desperation.
Ashmont station Protests
A large crowd is forming up at Ashmont station to protest the tragic incident in Minneapolis. I hope the Transit Police realize this is not the time to enforce social distancing and mandatory mask wearing on MBTA property.
I hope the protesters realize
I hope the protesters realize this is not a reason to not wear masks and not maintain social distance.
"Participants will wear face
"Participants will wear face coverings and stand safely apart.", from their organizing email.
I like how
with protests erupting nationally because of poor policing, everyone here is eager and willing to blindly accept the claims that any violence in our city is entirely due to lenient judges etc without any evidence. Great job thinking critically and asking for accountability from our police, Bostonians!