Border czar Tom Homan could also be headed quickly to the “safest major city in the country.” However he had higher watch out to not get mugged in Downtown Crossing.
Whereas Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox and Mayor Michelle Wu had been high-fiving one another celebrating their “historic run” in conserving the crime charge down, individuals have been operating for canopy within the coronary heart of town.
Assaults, robberies, stabbings and drug dealing have triggered a 7-year excessive in crime in Boston’s downtown purchasing district.
Simply final week, two teenagers had been arrested for allegedly assaulting and robbing a person in Macy’s. Police reported {that a} group of 5 juveniles punched and kicked the sufferer a number of instances after following him across the retailer and taking video of him. One of many arrested teenagers spat on a police officer who was placing the juvenile in handcuffs, in accordance with police.
However why let the info destroy story for Cox and Wu? They’ve their heads within the clouds, hoping no person notices the assaults, similar to they do with unlawful immigrant crime.
“The city has never been safer, period,” Cox mentioned at a press convention a number of months in the past.
However Homan has observed. Now Cox seems like one of many weaker legislation enforcement officers within the nation as he’s compelled to parrot political speaking factors from the mayor’s workplace.
Cox has mentioned the police will refuse to implement civil detainers from ICE, repeating the declare from the mayor.
“We just don’t do that,” Cox mentioned this month in a televised interview. “We don’t enforce civil detainers regarding federal immigration law. It’s defined here in the state, and that’s just how it works.”
Cox was citing the state’s sanctuary coverage in addition to Boston’s “Trust Act.” However federal immigration officers should implement the legislation because it pertains to unlawful immigrant criminals.
It’s an optics drawback for positive – a legislation enforcement chief refusing to implement the legislation. However it’s greater than that, it’s a standoff with the feds that might result in town dealing with a funding disaster, one which hurts its atypical authorized residents.
Placing politics over public security is anticipated of a pol like Wu, however not of the best legislation enforcement official within the metropolis.
Wu will journey over Andrea Campbell, Maura Healey and Elizabeth Warren within the blue state stampede to turn into the face of the Trump resistance. However Cox has probably the most to lose as he’s pushed to the entrance strains of this embarrassing battle to protect immigrants who’ve dedicated crimes right here. He might say that’s not occurring, however the info are clear.
“We just don’t have the authority to enforce federal law,” Cox mentioned.
The commissioner’s doubling down of the division’s coverage caught the eye of Homan over the weekend at a conservative political motion convention.
“I’m coming to Boston, I’m bringing hell with me,” the border czar mentioned defiantly.
Homan may need to try the criminals in Downtown Crossing whereas he’s at it.
However he may need to keep away from the Mass Pike and its falling chunks of concrete.
Simply one other day within the “safest city” in America led by the “best” police commissioner within the nation.
AP Photograph/Jacquelyn Martin, File
Thomas Homan (AP Photograph/Jacquelyn Martin, File)
