 "Photo:")
 "Photo:")
In an effort to foster better relations with area colleges, the Boston Police Department (BPD) hosted a meeting Jan. 31 at BPD headquarters with university leaders to discuss the security issues facing students following the Super Bowl on Sunday.
"We have to send a message, loud and clear, to the few people bent on causing problems, that we are not going to tolerate it," said Katherine O'Toole, police commissioner and BC '76. "We're going to take sanctions against them so that the innocent people can enjoy themselves."
Preparations have been similar to those of last July's Democratic National Convention and last October's World Series, said O'Toole. Officers will be out enforcing the zero-tolerance policy, and Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino is encouraging universities to apply the stiffest penalties to students arrested Sunday.
"[Menino] recognizes that students are a huge asset to the city, and he's focusing on a small percentage of bad behavior that we need to address head on," said O'Toole. "We want to show students that we really care and that they are part of our community here."
Menino has also asked Boston bars and liquor stores to limit alcohol sales to students this weekend.
Every available Boston police officer will be on duty, and the BPD will hire MBTA officers and other regional enforcement agencies to control the streets Sunday. In total, over 1,000 security personnel will be present, said O'Toole. "Everyone in this station will play a significant role in managing this event."
"Prevention and intervention first, and enforcement only as a last resort," said O'Toole, in regard to this Sunday's strategy for officers.
Operation Student Shield, a name that O'Toole admitted had a negative connotation, will be considered for revision in the upcoming weeks.
"Operation Student Shield sounds very adversarial, and we are working on making the name sound more positive," said Grace Simmons, president of UGBC and A&S '05.
The initiative, launched in early January, is a working partnership between local university officials and the BPD. The goal is to improve on and off-campus safety through increased communication.
"I think it's really good to develop this dialogue, and this is a great beginning," said O'Toole. "One of the things that I try to emphasize is that community policing is the foundation of our department, and the student population is part of our community."
The commissioner emphasized the success that the BPD has had with Boston College in their communication efforts. "I think the administrators there [at BC], partnered with the police department, are recognizing what is important and trying to provide a safer environment for students."
She offered praise to BC for receiving the Vision Award, an honor given by Menino for working closely with the BPD over the last eight years to address off-campus problems.
Representing BC at the meeting was Simmons and Benjamin Knappmiller, UGBC director of political action and CSOM '05. They emphasized that if, on Sunday, the police give the order to disperse, everyone must abide.
The meeting came after the death of two college-aged individuals in post-game celebrations for the Patriots and Red Sox. Following the Patriots Super Bowl victory last year, 21-year-old James Grabowski was killed in the post-game mayhem when an SUV drove into a crowd.
Last October, 21-year-old Victoria Snelgrove was killed after being struck in the eye by a pepper-spray-filled plastic pellet fired by BPD during the disorderly celebration after the Red Sox beat the Yankees in the final game of the American League Championship Series.
Boston Police Capt. Robert M. Flaherty encouraged students not to go into the Kenmore Square area following Sunday's game. "Everyone in this room is pro-student," he said. "We all want the kids to have a good time, and we want them to have a safe time. Going down to Kenmore Square does not enhance their safety. It reduces their safety."
"It's just not in their best interest," he added.
O'Toole said that she would consider doing Public Service Announcements with Mayor Menino and local university students, urging them to exercise caution following the Super Bowl.
She ended the meeting by thanking the student leaders for attending and expressing hope that students and police would continue working together. "I think this is a great start," she said.
Be the first to comment on this article!