The Boston City Council had a heated dispute Wednesday over allegations of racial discrimination by the Boston Police Department, the severity of two harassment claims and the council’s role in the investigation.
Councilors passed an order for a hearing regarding allegations that private security forces and Boston police harassed minority youths at Harbor Point in Dorchester.
“I would like to hold a hearing regarding Harbor Point with the residents, management, security force and Boston Police Department,” said Councilor Chuck Turner (Roxbury, Dorchester). “It will give us an opportunity to continue to delve into the matter.”
Harbor Point is a private mixed-income housing development that offers subsidized housing on the Boston Harbor. This will be the third hearing in the past year regarding allegations from minority tenants who claim that local youth are harassed by the private security force that patrols the area as well as the Boston Police Department’s Youth Violence Strike Force, also known as the gang unit.
“I have also heard the security force on site has been acting outside of their jurisdiction,” said Councilor Charles Yancey (Dorchester, Mattapan). “This is a question of professionalism of the security force.”
BPD reported that the private security force has no authority outside of the development in which they were hired to protect.
“This is an issue of resident safety and the concern here is people who think they’ve been harassed,” Councilor-At-Large Felix Arroyo said. “If no one did anything wrong, there’s nothing to fear.”
But many councilors voiced concerns about the severity of the allegations and the necessity of another hearing about Harbor Point.
“I am really offended that we cannot work with management and that we have to publicly humiliate the people who initially transformed Columbia Point,” said Councilor Maureen Feeney (East Boston, Dorchester). “Thanks to the generosity of this company, we have housing which is reasonable, responsible and where people have an opportunity.”
Formerly a dangerous public housing development called Columbia Point, the property was purchased from the Boston Housing Authority and privatized by the CMJ Management Company. Yancey said the new owners made a commitment to design low-income housing and respect all residents of the lot.
“The task force plays a positive role at Harbor Point,” Yancey said. “But we must respond to any allegation of inappropriate behavior.”
Turner added that even though this seemed to be an issue with youths of color, white youths have been complaining that they are under attack as well.
“I want my colleagues to remember that race is a delicate issue,” said Councilor James Kelly (Downtown, South Boston). “If we’re going to be labeling people racist [the allegations] better damn well be accurate.”
The council also passed an order for a hearing to investigate recent allegations of racism regarding the Boston police Youth Strike Force targeting minority teenagers around the city.
“I was quite upset when I learned last week of these allegations,” Yancey said. “We will never tolerate discrimination in any form.”
Councilors did not specify the allegations at the meeting, but they were concerned over the severity of racial accusations.
“I don’t know the appropriateness of the city council’s involvement in this matter, especially since litigation is pending,” said Councilor Jerry McDermott (Allston, Brighton). “Racism is a very serious issue and I don’t think it’s the council’s place to have a hearing on this matter.”
The council also passed an order for a hearing on identity theft, aiming to review the city’s privacy policies to reduce the chances of identity theft.
“An estimated 60 percent of all victims do not report out of shame and embarrassment,” said Councilor John Tobin (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury). “They ought not be embarrassed.”
Tobin said that a recent CBS News report estimated about 500,000 Americans will be affected with losses exceeding $4 billion dollars this year alone.
“Only one detective in the Boston Police Department is assigned to this issue,” Tobin said. “This is going on across the country and we need to educate people on this issue and prevention.”