Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey addressed the sudden rise of wild, illegal car meetups and racing known as “street takeovers” Wednesday, pledging to “end this trend” in the state.
“I’m committed to doing everything I can to get after this issue,” Healey said. “That’s my message today: No more.”
Three days ago, a crowd of more than 100 people attacked a Boston Police cruiser in the South End, setting it on fire. Two young men from Rhode Island were arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Fall River police said they arrested five people, ages 19 to 22, after a group blocked roads and did donuts with their cars during a street takeover Sunday morning.
There have also been similar incidents recently in Randolph and Middleboro.
“Whether you’re in Massachusetts or you think about coming to Massachusetts, you are not welcome to engage in that conduct at any time in any place, anywhere in this state,” Healey said.
“You’re going to be punished”
The governor said she’s directed Massachusetts State Police to work with local police departments to identify, apprehend and punish offenders. She also asked the public to call 911 if they see something online about plans for a street takeover.
“Not going to happen here,” Healey said. “And if you do it, you’re going to be punished. I’m serious.”
One of Healey’s Republican challengers in the governor’s race has criticized her response to the street takeovers.
“The truth is, incidents like we saw in the South End the other night are becoming more and more common. And they are becoming more and more common because the bad guys know there are no consequences,” Republican Brian Shortsleeve told WBZ-TV Tuesday.
In a statement, Healey, a Democrat, said her administration will hold those responsible “accountable.”
“Anyone who targets police and destroys police property, or who comes to Massachusetts and engages in dangerous and destructive conduct like last weekend’s drag racing and out of control attack, should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” the governor said Tuesday.
The president of Boston’s police union blamed a “lack of prosecution” for the recent violence against officers.
Bills to crack down on street takeovers
Rep. Steven Xiarhos (R-Barnstable), the former deputy police chief in Yarmouth, announced plans to file two bills to further crack down on havoc on the roads.
“We’re all on the same page Democrat, Republican, you don’t do it in, Massachusetts,” Xiarhos said at the State House Wednesday.
One bill would make assaulting a police officer a felony charge in Massachusetts. The other modeled after new laws in other states would create stricter penalties for those involved in street takeovers.
“When they get a slap on the wrist and walk out, that sends a bad, bad message,” Xiarhos said.
“It has a lot of punishment and penalties and also it allows us to seize the vehicle, you lose your vehicle,” he added.
WBZ-TV’s Aaron Parseghian contributed to this report.
