In an effort to curb escalating gang violence in Boston, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved a bill on Jan. 16 that would allocate $750,000 for a new statewide witness protection program, increase gun control and combat the illegal use of grand jury testimony.
The bill also allocates $11 million for a violence prevention program that includes increased law enforcement activities and efforts to decrease youth violence.
The new witness protection program would provide witnesses with “reasonable” housing, living expenses, surveillance and relocation for the duration of a trial. In exchange, the witnesses would be mandated to comply with the courts and promise testimony.
This program differs from the federal program because it only protects the witnesses during the trial whereas the federal program protects the witnesses for as long as it is deemed necessary.
Senate President Robert E. Travaglini (D-Boston) cosponsored the bill because of the rising amount of reported gang violence in his district.
“It’s prevalent in many urban neighborhoods and we understand from district attorney’s that intimidating witnesses happens frequently,” said Ann Dufresne, spokeswoman for Travaglini, in an email.
In an article to the online publication The Republican, Rep. Cheryl Rivera (D-Springfield) predicted the bill would greatly reduce gang violence throughout Massachusetts.
“It’s the beginning of the end to gang control over our cities,” Rivera said. “It’s a very comprehensive, fair bill.”
Boston resident Catherine Todd, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore, said she sees the bill as a good measure in solving the problem of gang violence.
“I definitely feel more confidence in my legislators, to see a positive decision reached by such a majority really shows that they do have the citizens’ best interests in mind,” she said.
“$750,000 tells me that improvements are being made, and an improvement makes me feel safer than I already do,” Todd continued.
Others, however, do not think that the bill is the most effective way to combat gang violence and homicides.
“[The new bill and witness protection program] might help, but they have to start where the problem is,” said Ivan Fuentes, a Dorchester resident.
Fuentes said the Boston Police Department needs to show a larger physical presence within communities because the witness protection programs will not help deter violence against witnesses by itself.
“The program might help in the short tem, but not the long term,” he said. “The witnesses still [testified against the gang members]. The gangs will still go after them in the long run.”