Two Boston Globe reporters had been attacked within the South Finish whereas presumably making an attempt to report on the open-air drug market and violence that has spilled over from Mass and Cass into surrounding neighborhoods.
The Boston Guardian recognized the 2 Globe staffers as Niki Griswold, a reporter, and Barry Chin, a photographer, whereas stating that the assault additionally concerned two South Finish residents who had been accompanying the journalists and happened close to Rosie’s Place on Harrison Avenue.
The report was confirmed final week by the Boston Globe, through an inner memo that was despatched to the newsroom by Globe editor Nancy Barnes and revealed by Media Nation’s Dan Kennedy.
“The incident at Mass. and Cass involving our journalists, Niki Griswold and Barry Chin, is understandably concerning to everyone who goes out on assignment in places that might be dangerous,” Barnes reportedly wrote within the memo.
“The situation at Mass. and Cass has evolved in recent years, and we are considering a requirement for anyone going there to have security, which we will discuss with our reporting teams and the rest of the company.”
In accordance with the Boston Guardian, whose reporting was primarily based on a firsthand account by the 2 residents who had been attacked, the state of affairs escalated when the Globe photographer started to take images “to document instances of open-air drug use” within the space, a identified sizzling spot for Mass and Cass spillover.
“When Chin started to take photos, the residents said, a drug user approached them and started threatening them by swinging a ‘cat’s paw’ weapon, a metal rod with nails sticking out of it,” the Guardian report states. “They managed to deter this person, but as the Globe staffers continued taking photos, the person got the attention of some others who the residents identified as dealers.”
One of many residents advised the Guardian that the second man who confronted their group was “much more threatening. He wanted to take the camera, wanted us to delete the pictures.”
Per the Guardian report, one of many residents talked about having the ability to fend off the attacker, to provide the group of journalists and residents time to run and search shelter so they may name the police.
GBH investigative reporter Tori Bedford reacted to the Globe editor’s inner memo on social media, stating on X, “Right here’s some safety recommendation for taking images and speaking to individuals at Mass and Cass.
“Don’t openly carry a big camera and point it at people who don’t want to be photographed, and don’t take photos of people — especially faces — without permission,” Bedford wrote.
Then-Boston Metropolis Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson had her cellphone snatched for taking images at Mass and Cass two years in the past.
The cellphone was grabbed from the then-councilor’s arms whereas she was taking photos round 112 Southampton St., a Boston police report states of Fernandes Anderson’s recount of the August 2023 incident.
The incident was captured on police bodycam footage that was obtained by the Herald. Within the video, one lady within the space may very well be heard telling Fernandes Anderson, “Listen, you was going to be taking pictures.”
Barnes’ inner memo to the Globe newsroom states that the assault on its journalists has spurred the publication to contact “Poynter and the Dart Institute about training for reporters covering protests or other points of contact.”
“And, we will have a fuller conversation with our reporters and photographers who cover Mass. and Cass and other trouble spots to discuss best practices for journalists in the weeks and months ahead,” Barnes reportedly wrote.
The incident prompted Boston Metropolis Councilor Ed Flynn, who mentioned he’s been in contact with each South Finish residents concerned within the Boston Globe assault, to write down an electronic mail to BPD Commissioner Michael Cox and Superintendent Robert Ciccolo on July 17.
“I am writing to respectfully ask for a complete investigation to determine what happened and what led to the conditions for this assault, and to significantly increase police presence in these impacted neighborhoods,” Flynn wrote within the electronic mail that was obtained by the Herald.
“Those that were involved in the assault should be arrested and held accountable in court,” the councilor wrote. “We must have zero tolerance for violence and criminal activity in any neighborhood. It is not safe in and around Mass and Cass any longer. We need a new aggressive public safety plan to address the open drug use, dealing and violent crime that is taking place there frequently.”
Flynn, who represents a part of the South Finish, added that he considers the state of affairs at and round Mass and Cass to be a “public health and public safety emergency.”
