That the City Manager is requested to direct the Police Commissioner to establish an aggressive new strategy to reduce the violence in the Port and Wellington-Harrington neighborhoods

City of Cambridge O-4 ORIGINAL ORDER IN CITY COUNCIL June 18, 2018 COUNCILLOR SIMMONS MAYOR MCGOVERN COUNCILLOR MALLON WHEREAS: In recent months, there have been a number of alarming violent incidents in the community – particularly in the Port and the Wellington-Harrington neighborhoods – that have left area residents feeling shaken, angry, and concerned for their safety; and WHEREAS: These incidents have included (but are not limited to): a report of gunshots in the area of Elm Street and Cambridge Street on May 20, a shooting that occurred at Richie’s Shell station on May 30, and gunshots fired in the area of Clement Morgan Park on June 6; and WHEREAS: At a meeting on May 30 to discuss public safety, the Cambridge Police Department revealed that shooting incidents have doubled over the past year, with five shootings reported just in May; and WHEREAS: While the Cambridge Police have been working hard to identify and bring to justice those behind these violent acts, and while City officials have stressed that statistics show that violent crime has actually been decreasing in the City in recent years, these continued shootings are making area residents increasingly concerned about their safety, and increasingly angered by the sense that the City’s efforts to stem the violence and create truly safe neighborhoods have not been nearly as robust or as effective as they need to be; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Police Commissioner to establish an aggressive new strategy to reduce the violence in the Port and Wellington- Harrington neighborhoods, to utilize the framework of the continuing Safe Streets, Safe City stakeholder meeting group to assist with envisioning, executing, and promoting this plan, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner.