Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed confidence that President Donald Trump should not consider deploying the National Guard in the state, amidst escalating street takeovers that have raised safety concerns in Boston and other communities.
When asked about the potential for such a deployment, Healey dismissed the notion, stating, “There’s no need for that here.”
Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox acknowledged that it was premature to determine if recent street takeovers across multiple locations were interconnected.
He noted that these events, fueled by social media, have become a noticeable trend in cities across the United States over the past few years.
Cox described the gatherings as a “culture trend” that has become increasingly chaotic and dangerous, emphasizing that they need to be addressed promptly.
“Drivers at these events perform high-speed stunts, doing burnouts and spinning doughnuts, while others block off roads from regular traffic,” Cox reported after an unrelated event at the State House.
Recent incidents in the Boston area became particularly alarming; a police vehicle caught fire after being targeted with fireworks, and a bystander was struck by a vehicle during a meetup in Hyde Park.
In addition to Boston, similar street takeovers were reported in Randolph, Fall River, Brockton, Middleborough, West Roxbury, Hyde Park, and Westwood, according to local officials.
Tim McGuirk, a spokesperson for State Police, mentioned that there was no intelligence suggesting a common organizer for these events.
“Organized meet ups in cars are not new; however, their frequency has increased in recent weeks across Massachusetts,” McGuirk noted in an email.
He added that troopers are trained to identify suspicious activities and disrupt criminal behavior.
Healey has been proactively preparing for the possibility of the Trump administration deploying the National Guard to Massachusetts.
In response, Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office indicated it would be ready to challenge any unlawful deployment of troops.
She stated that in Massachusetts, collaboration among law enforcement agencies is essential, emphasizing, “Crime happens. What I am addressing is a particular trend that I’m seeing. The key is that we’re responding effectively, and we support law enforcement and our communities.”
A White House spokesperson refrained from commenting on whether the administration was considering deploying National Guard troops in response to the street takeovers, asserting that President Trump is focused on the safety and security of Americans but would not pre-empt any announcements.
Commissioner Cox remarked on the organizational aspect of these events, quipping, “They’re not texting me before they do it.”
He stressed the need for law enforcement to implement better strategies to manage these unruly gatherings, noting that existing laws against such actions are not proving effective at curbing the behavior.
Cox acknowledged that a cultural change is necessary to address the trend effectively.
While Healey’s office and State Police have yet to respond to inquiries about potential new legislation to tackle the problem, it has been noted that other states have enacted stricter fines to deter participants of similar events.
During a solemn event at the State House honoring police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, stated that union officials believed officers were lured into a dangerous situation during the South End meetup, where a police vehicle was set alight, resulting in two arrests.
Cox confirmed that the chaotic gathering is under investigation but refrained from speculating on the intentions of the participants, stating, “I don’t know if they’re that intentional. We haven’t figured it out yet, and once we do, we will hold the individuals accountable.”
He added that the increasing frequency of such takeovers raises general safety concerns.
“They’re as unruly as they can be, and they flaunt it on social media,” he stated.
Videos and photographs posted online show crowds shooting fireworks, passengers hanging out of windows of spinning cars, and bystanders getting dangerously close to moving vehicles while filming the activities on their phones.
Some participants were also seen donning bright yellow vests, seemingly acting as traffic control personnel.
Posts on social media referring to the events have dubbed them “Return to Mass,” with one account claiming, “Return of Mass wasn’t an event, it was a moment in history.”
The takeover in Fall River resulted in around 200 attendees who blocked roadways and caused an ambulance to redirect its route.
According to police, five individuals were arrested, facing charges related to disorderly conduct and conspiracy, with ages ranging from 19 to 22.
In the South End incident, two Rhode Island men were charged with multiple offenses, including malicious destruction of property and assault on an officer.
Street takeovers, where large groups of drivers gather to engage in reckless behavior, are recognized as a national issue, according to the Police Executive Research Forum, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank.
The trend has been exacerbated by social media, particularly during the pandemic when many urban streets were free from regular traffic, leading to increased occurrences.
Details of these gatherings are usually circulated on social media platforms, often through private messaging among participants.
On Wednesday, Healey urged residents to alert law enforcement if they witness any signs of planned street takeovers or illegal gatherings, emphasizing the importance of community involvement.
“If you see something, say something. Call 911 if you get word of any meetup,” she urged.
image source from：bostonglobe
