| I nearly choked on my Cheerios when I read this story in today's Globe.
After months of tension between state and Boston police, Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said yesterday he has placed State Police in charge of investigating all homicides on MBTA buses, trains, stations, and platforms. In a move that infuriated Boston police detectives, Conley has also reasserted State Police jurisdiction over areas such as Carson and Revere beaches that had been disputed by city and state investigators in the past.
Hey, you know what might really solve the crime problem in Boston? More turf battles between agencies that are supposed to be doing something about crime, but are more worried about making sure that everyone knows who's more important! Yeah, that's the ticket!
This all harkens back to BPD Commissioner Ed Davis's shake-up a few weeks ago -- which infuriated DA Conley so much that he actually went public about it. Now, perhaps it would have been better form for Davis to consult with Conley before the reshuffle. But for God's sake, can't someone be a grown-up here?
Conley said he did not consult the Executive Office of Public Safety or Davis before making the decision. "This decision is mine to make," he said. "I made it after great reflection and discussion with my senior staff."
Real mature. Oh, but in case you were wondering, this power-grab by Conley has nothing whatsoever to do with payback for what Davis did. Nothing. It's completely based on the merits, and the fact that it follows on the heels of Davis's move, which royally pissed off Conley, is a total coincidence.
"I've been thinking about this long before the commissioner and I disagreed," Conley said. "To suggest this is in any way retributive is completely off base. This is a decision that I've made to bring additional resources, investigative resources, into the city of Boston and nothing more than that."
You know what, DA Dan? I don't believe you.
The police detectives are furious about this. ("Playing politics with it is just despicable. Me and my people are not going to sit for this. It's a disgrace if that's what he's done.") Commissioner Davis can't be too psyched either, though he's holding his fire so far. Someone has got to step in and make these guys work it out. The Governor? The Mayor? The Attorney General? I don't know, but someone has to do it.
 Meanwhile, here's what I'd like to see. I'd like to see DA Conley explain to these kids -- who hand-delivered a letter and survey to Governor Patrick yesterday in which they and their friends express their concerns about violence in their neighborhoods -- why bullsh*t turf battles like the one that's obviously going on right now are going to help them feel safe in their homes. That's what I'd really like. |
