When it comes to deciding whether or not to provide $3.4 million in grant cash to the Investigative Division of the Boston Police Department, the Boston City Council is divided.
However, the same number of councillors highlighted issues with the BRIC’s gang database, which is being investigated for suspected racial bias by the state’s attorney general. Six of the thirteen councillors indicated that they would vote in favour of funding the Boston Regional Intelligence Centre (BRIC).
Michael Flaherty, a member of the community Council who presided over a committee hearing on Friday concerning the issue, stated that “public safety is paramount for our city.” I am aware of the significant part that BRIC plays in the investigation of each and every homicide that occurs in the city of Boston. They don’t go around blowing their own horn as much as other people do. We did it as a group.”
Flaherty encouraged the police to remove the names of persons who “shouldn’t be on there,” acknowledging the concerns raised by his colleagues, the majority of which came from councillors of colour, as well as the testimony of community members who believed they were unfairly targeted by the BRIC’s gang database. Flaherty also acknowledged the concerns raised by his colleagues, the majority of which came from councillors of colour.
“I think we’re all in agreement, if there’s someone on that list that should not be on that list, as the chair, on behalf of this body, that name has to come off and we need to make some adjustments,” he added. “I think we’re all in agreement, if there’s someone on that list that should not be on that list.” “If it is taking place, it really must cease. If it has already been stopped, then this is definitely very excellent news.
At the beginning of this month, Flaherty advocated for skipping the hearing and pushed for a quick decision on three grants totaling $850,000 from the state. These monies are intended to be used to improve technology that is used in the fight against crime, gangs, and terrorism.
The funds were turned down by the City Council with a vote of 7-5, which prompted Mayor Michelle Wu to reapply for three grants spanning fiscal years 2021-23 and also submit an application for a fourth award spanning fiscal year FY20. The grants have now been unanimously rejected by the committee on three separate occasions.
Michael Cox, the Police Commissioner, stated that he is “dumbfounded” by the fact that the work that the BRIC undertakes is not “so well-received” despite the fact that it “is so central to do what we do as a police department.”
According to what Cox had to say, “the work that they do is not about vilifying people of colour.” “It’s really about identifying the people who are driving the violent crime in our city, and you’re keeping track of that information,” said the officer. “You’re doing that now.”
According to him, the monies would help to cover many gaps in BRIC’s analytical operation by recruiting eight civilian analysts, jobs that would be maintained for five years. This would be possible because of the finances. According to officials from the police department, the BRIC does not have enough staff in that division as there is only one analyst working each shift from Friday through Monday.
According to the BRIC’s Deputy Director Ryan Walsh, the gang database is “relatively small part of what we do,” and the proposed funds would not be given to that component of the BRIC. Walsh also stated that three-fourths of the BRIC’s 52-member crew is dedicated to its anti-terrorism project.
Regardless of where the money is going, city councillors who came out against the proposal were particularly concerned about the gang database, which, according to the opponents, follows persons of colour at a disproportionately higher rate.
Councillor Ruthzee Louijeune stated, “As a first-term city councillor, I can’t say I have enough information to see that you are out in our communities for good and not for discrimination,” and she went on to remark, “I don’t see a reason to trust the data that the BRIC is collecting.” Later, Louijeune added, “I don’t see a reason to trust the data that the BRIC is collecting.”
Councillor Julia Mejia, who in the past has advocated for dismantling the BRIC, criticised the mayor for changing her opinion after having opposed the institution in the past.
In 2021, when Wu was a member of the city council, he cast a vote against awarding one of the grants worth $850,000. She ran for mayor that year and announced her support for eliminating the BRIC and doing away with the gang database, but now she is asking the Council to pay the body she previously advocated for eliminating.
Mejia stated, “I’d love to hear from her because if she can convince me as to why we’re doing this right now, then she might be able to provide me with some clarity on the record.” “I’d love to hear from her because if she can convince me as to why we’re doing this right now, then I’d love to hear from her.” Because of this, if you want me to make a change, you’re going to have to take the time to explain it to me. If that’s the case, I won’t be going there.”
An probe of the database and the gang unit of the police department was initiated in May of this year by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who served on the city council in 2021 and advised that the body decline to accept a BRIC grant at that time.
In 2019, in response to a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the city’s police department produced data showing that of the approximately 5,000 persons included on its gang database, 66% were black, 24% were Latino, and 2% were white. The data also showed that the majority of the people listed on the database were members of the city’s gangs.
The police agency revised its policies in 2021 about the manner in which names were entered into the gang database. Walsh stated that since that time, a total of 2,494 inactive names have been erased, including 49 in the year 2023, 1,836 in the year 2022, and 609 in the year 2021.
According to Walsh, the addition of names occurs when there is “reasonable suspicion” that an individual is participating in illegal behaviour on behalf of an organisation. He stated that there are 85 gangs operating in the city of Boston.
At the hearing on Friday, the President of the City Council, Ed Flynn, along with Councillors Frank Baker, Liz Breadon, Sharon Durkan, Flaherty, and Erin Murphy, all indicated that they would vote in favour of the motion.
Mejia has requested yet another hearing, but Flaherty has indicated that he is more interested in rapidly scheduling yet another vote on the funds.
“I’ll take that under advisement,” he said. “I’ll get back to you on that.” “I appreciate your opinion, but they’ve been waiting since the year 2020.”
