Boston City Council President Ed Flynn mentioned he’s completed with taking part in “politics with the safety of residents” and is asking the mayor to shortly resubmit her request to allocate $13.3 million in federal counter-terrorism funding.
Those {dollars} are for the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region, which incorporates Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop.
Freezing the funds comes because the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have issued a brand new warning of “lone-actor” threats across the holidays because of the conflict in Israel towards Hamas terrorists.
“Since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, various foreign terrorist media organizations have called for lone actor attacks in the United States,” final week’s alert added. “Racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists have also increased calls for violence and celebrated attacks on the Jewish community.”
The Boston City Council has didn’t launch the grant cash after a 6-6 gridlock that has state Sen. Nick Collins, a Southie Democrat, trying to yank town approval away and provides it to the Legislature so the cash might be spent.
Fire Fighters of Massachusetts President Rich MacKinnon mentioned the funding is “vital,” including the hazard is all too actual.
“I represent 12,000 firefighters and when we’re called, we’ll respond,” MacKinnon mentioned, “but funding helps communities outside Boston remain staffed and trained.”
Flynn mentioned he’s additionally able to act.
“We must put politics aside and focus on the safety of our residents as a top priority,” he mentioned in his letter to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, in search of a second strive at releasing the funds.
Wu has mentioned she is going to resubmit her request as soon as new councilors are sworn in Jan. 1, the place two lame-duck councilors who have been amongst these holding up the grant cash will now not be on the council.
One of these outgoing dissenters, councilor Ricardo Arroyo, is hitting again at Flynn saying it might be violating the foundations to carry “any hearing … after the last regular council meeting of the municipal year.”
Arroyo provides in a tweet, “Take a break from politicizing and enjoy the holiday break with your family.”
The mayor’s spokesman, Ricardo Patron, mentioned Thursday the subsequent council will sort out the $13.3 million grant, the place the “four new members” will vote for the primary time.
“In 11 days, Mayor Wu will swear in a new City Council with four new members. Rather than reopen a vote more than a week after the Council President adjourned the session for the term, the administration is preparing to welcome the next Council and move important items in the new session,” Patron added in an announcement to the Herald.
Henry Santana, John FitzGerald, Enrique Pepén, and Ben Weber are the 4 new metropolis councilors on the 13-member physique.
Flynn, in his letter to Wu, mentioned he’s not ready and if she doesn’t resubmit, he’ll name an emergency assembly for subsequent week and name for the vote himself.
“I understand how dangerous the world is and Boston is not immune from a terrorist attack,” he added, citing the 9/11 terror assault and Boston Marathon bombings — all launched proper right here.
Ed Davis, a safety professional and former Boston police commissioner, agreed the cash is important.
“The council is playing too much politics with public safety,” he mentioned, when requested concerning the grant gridlock. “I know the work the Boston Police Department does to fight terrorism is instrumental. They need this money.”
Also taking part in into this equation is Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune, who voted towards releasing the grant cash. She is predicted to be the subsequent council president, giving her the facility of the gavel.
Arroyo, Liz Breadon, Kendra Lara, Julia Mejia and Brian Worrell have been the opposite councilors who voted towards the grant. Tania Fernandes Anderson was absent.
Voting “yes” on the grant have been Councilors Frank Baker, Gabriela Coletta, Sharon Durkan, Michael Flaherty, Flynn and Erin Murphy.
Patron added the Wu administration has been in touch with the opposite municipalities “and are confident there that will be no impact on operations or public safety” if the grant goes again earlier than the council within the new 12 months.
As for the FBI, the Boston workplace added they’re “working closely with our law enforcement partners to share information and disrupt any threats that may emerge.” They didn’t touch upon the grant, however urged “members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.”
Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria mentioned “being prepared” is job one among elected officers.
“Ensuring the safety of residents and our communities is one of the most significant responsibilities of elected officials,” mentioned DeMaria. “I support efforts to preserve accessing and use of federal funds to ensure that we are continuing to invest in preventing threats of terrorism and being prepared to respond to protect public safety and public health in a world of continuously evolving threat risks.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”