Mass. Gov. Healey decries street ‘takeovers’ as ‘destructive, dangerous and against the law’
Gov. Maura Healey pledged to support law enforcement cracking down on so-called "street takeovers," calling the events "completely destructive, dangerous and against the law."
At least four communities in Massachusetts faced chaotic scenes as groups clogged up streets. In Boston, a police cruiser was set on fire after members of the group launched fireworks at it.
In Middleborough, a Dodge Charger drove at a police officer. In Fall River, a private ambulance was forced to take an alternate route, attempting to get to a hospital. In Randolph, more than 100 people — most in masks, police said — attacked marked police cars with fireworks.
"I am disgusted by this behavior and will be taking action to support law enforcement and hold accountable anyone who attacks our police and communities to the fullest extent of the law," Healey said in a statement provided by her office.
The Democratic governor is set to offer further remarks during a news conference at the State House on Wednesday morning.
Randolph Police Chief Anthony T. Marag said the incidents, as well as similar ones in Dedham, Norwood and Westwood, appeared to be connected.
Police are "trying to backtrack and put the pieces together to see if it's the same crew that's been going around."
"We're seeing that it's escalating, and what happened the other night was absolutely unacceptable," Marag said at a Randolph Town Council meeting held Monday night.
In June, another "car meetup" near a BJ's in Dedham turned deadly when two 20-year-old men were shot — one of them fatally.
As of September, two men face charges of murder , armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a firearm and carrying a firearm without a license in connection with the double shooting, the district attorney's office said.
While no arrests have been made in connection with the incidents on Sunday in Randolph or Marlborough, Randolph police are looking to identify suspects through cruiser camera and surveillance camera footage.
"We are going to be charging, we are going to be arresting. The courts will give warrants related to this. It's a bigger issue, I think, than people think," Marag said on Monday.
"But it's not unique to Randolph ... it's been ongoing everywhere, especially across the country — it's a trend that's come this way now, but it needs to be addressed," he said.
These "street takeovers," also known as "car meetups" and "car shows," are not new and have been a nationwide problem since 2020. They're coordinated through social media and involve dozens or hundreds of cars meeting up in one location to do doughnuts, race and drive recklessly.
Seven people were arrested across the state in connection with Sunday's "takeovers." This included Julian Bowers, 18, and William Cantwell, both from Rhode Island, and suspected participants in the Boston incident.
The other five were arrested in connection with the Fall River incident. This includes: Jahir Gonzalez, 22, of New Bedford, Alexander Copsetta, 21, of North Easton, Alyssa Deyoung, 19, of Bridgewater, Mackenzie Benjamin, 19, of Kingston, and Aiden Meehen, 20, of Oxford.
"Street takeovers" were recently brought up by police chiefs as a concern during a series of roundtable meetings the governor had with local crime prosecution leaders, which Marag attended.
Though prosecutors requested a $20,000 bail and a $15,000 bail for the two men charged in connection with the Boston incident, bail was set at $1,000 and $500 , respectively. Those arrested in connection with the Fall River incident were released on personal recognizance.
MassLive Politics Editor John L. Micek contributed to this story.
Street "takeovers"
Read the original article on MassLive . Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
