Boston City Council Approves $3.4M Grant for Surveillance Unit Amidst Calls for Reforms
In a recent city council meeting held on Wednesday, the Boston City Council approved a $3.4 million grant for the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), a unit of the Boston Police Department (BPD) responsible for monitoring gang and terrorist activities using video surveillance and data analysis. The grant proposal sparked a discussion on the need for reforms within the BRIC, as concerns were raised about the unit disproportionately affecting communities of color.
District 1 Councilor Gabriela Coletta, while voting in favor of the grant, emphasized the importance of accountability and reform within the BRIC to address the historical disenfranchisement of Black and Brown individuals. Coletta acknowledged the significant reforms that have already been made within and outside the organization, but highlighted the need for further transparency, accountability, and oversight.
Not all councilors were in agreement with the grant proposal. Councilors Ricardo Arroyo, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia, Kendra Lara, and Brian Worrell voted against it. However, Councilors Micheal Flaherty, Coletta, Frank Baker, Sharon Durkan, Liz Breadon, Erin Murphy, and Ed Flynn supported the docket, resulting in its passage. Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson abstained from the vote.
Another grant of $330,000 was proposed for the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program, which aims to reduce flood risks in several locations, including Bennington Street in Boston and Fredericks Park, Belle Isle Avenue, and Montfern Avenue in Revere. This grant was unanimously passed by all city council members.
Regarding the MVP program, Councilor Coletta spoke about the urgency of addressing climate change and the vulnerability of East Boston to flooding. She requested her colleagues to consider the grant as a means of helping individuals in her district who are at risk of facing the detrimental effects of floods.
Expanding early voting access for the November 2023 election was another topic discussed by the council. Councilor Mejia expressed her support for the proposal and emphasized the importance of educating the public about their voting rights and access.
The decisions made during this city council meeting highlight the ongoing conversation surrounding the need for reforms within the BRIC and the commitment of council members to address issues such as racial disparities, climate change, and voter accessibility.
As Boston moves forward, it is expected that further reforms and actions will be taken to ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the surveillance and voting systems, while also prioritizing the mitigation of climate change risks for vulnerable communities.
