City Council - Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee Hearing on Docket #0978

Governing Body: Boston City Council - Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee Meeting Date: November 06, 2025 at 02:00 PM Type of Meeting: Public Hearing (Virtual via Zoom) Attendees:

Councilors: Henry Santana (Chair), Enrique Pepén, Erin Murphy, Edward Flynn, Benjamin Weber
Panelists: Superintendent Robert Ciccolo Jr. (Boston Police Department), Chief Michael D'Entremont (Dedham Police Department), State Representative Rob Consalvo
Absent: Councilor Brian Worrell

Executive Summary: The Public Safety & Criminal Justice Committee convened to discuss and consider the adoption of Docket #0978, a local law to implement Chapter 270 of the Acts of 2024. This legislation aims to establish law enforcement continuity between the City of Boston and the Town of Dedham, creating a 500-yard buffer zone where officers from either municipality can exercise police powers. This initiative, modeled after existing agreements with Brookline and Newton, seeks to enhance public safety, streamline emergency responses in border areas like Hyde Park and West Roxbury, and mitigate liability risks for both police departments due to complex municipal boundaries that bisect properties and roadways.

I. Call to Order and Meeting Logistics

Meeting Called to Order: 2:03 PM by Chair Henry Santana.
Virtual Meeting Protocol: Conducted virtually via Zoom in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, modifying Open Meeting Law requirements.
Recording and Livestream: The hearing was recorded and livestreamed on boston.gov/city-council-tv and broadcast on Xfinity Channel 8, RCN Channel 82, and Files Channel 964.
Public Comment Submission: Written comments could be sent to ccc.ps@boston.gov.
Public Testimony: Individuals signed up via email (megancoruto@boston.gov) and were allotted two minutes to testify.

II. Introduction of Docket #0978

Docket Number: 0978
Purpose: To adopt Chapter 270 of the Acts of 2024 regarding local law enforcement continuity between the City of Boston and the Town of Dedham.
Sponsor: Councilor Enrique Pepén.
Referral Date: Referred to the committee on April 30, 2025.
Committee Members Present: Councilor Henry Santana (Chair), Councilor Erin Murphy, Councilor Enrique Pepén, Councilor Edward Flynn, Councilor Benjamin Weber (joined later).
Letter of Absence: Received from Councilor Brian Worrell.

III. Opening Remarks

Chair Henry Santana:
- Emphasized the priority of effective law enforcement services and inter-community cooperation.
- Explained the proposed 500-yard buffer zone, allowing Boston officers to operate in Dedham and vice-versa, similar to existing agreements with Brookline and Newton.
- Highlighted benefits for Boston neighborhoods including Hyde Park, West Roxbury, and Roslindale, ensuring seamless services and enhanced public safety.
Councilor Enrique Pepén (Lead Sponsor):
- Expressed support for the order, acknowledging State Representative Rob Consalvo and State Representative Paul McMurtry's work on the state bill.
- Noted the significance for District 5 (Hyde Park), which borders Dedham.
- Referenced the 40-year continuity buffer with Brookline as a successful precedent.
- Thanked the Boston Police Department and Dedham Police Department for their presence and insights.
Councilor Erin Murphy:
- Expressed anticipation for the discussion on interagency collaboration, drawing parallels to existing relationships with BHA Housing Police and college police.
- Stressed the importance of including the Boston Patrolmen's Union in the conversation.
Councilor Edward Flynn:
- Commended the professionalism of the Dedham Police Department and acknowledged their existing cooperation with Boston Police.

IV. Panelist Presentations

Superintendent Robert Ciccolo Jr. (Chief Bureau of Field Services, Boston Police Department):
- Stated that the legislation is modeled "word for word" on existing agreements with Brookline and Newton, simply substituting "Dedham."
- Highlighted increasing development along the Boston-Dedham border, particularly near Sprague Street and the former Stop & Shop warehouse, creating public safety and liability risks.
- Presented a slideshow illustrating complex boundary lines:
  - ABEX Building (Former Stop & Shop Warehouse): The city line runs directly through the building, with the rear half in Dedham. This creates response time issues for Dedham Police and potential liability for Boston officers acting outside jurisdiction.
  - Boston Pickle Club / Former J. Baker Warehouse: Similar situation with the rear one-third of the building in Boston, creating response and liability issues.
  - Carrollton Road (West Roxbury-Dedham Line): The city line runs through backyards, making it difficult for officers to track jurisdiction in emergencies.
  - Industrial Drive (Off Sprague Street): A large building is bisected by the municipal boundary. An undeveloped space in Dedham is only accessible via Boston, posing future development challenges.
- Emphasized that similar agreements with Newton and Brookline have operated "seamlessly" for decades without problems.
Chief Michael D'Entremont (Dedham Police Department):
- Concurred with Superintendent Ciccolo's points regarding areas where departments must traverse each other's jurisdiction to access their own.
- Cited specific examples:
  - Traffic Signals on Providence Highway: These signals are barely in Dedham, making enforcement challenging without a buffer.
  - "Cut-through" Traffic: Boston cruisers use Dedham streets (Buzzy Street, Milton Street, Center Street) to move between Boston areas, and Dedham officers use Providence Highway through Boston. The buffer would grant necessary authority if incidents occur during transit.
- Reiterated that officers would not cross borders unless activity necessitates it.

V. Public Testimony

State Representative Rob Consalvo:
- Thanked the committee and Councilor Pepén for filing the local adoption of Docket #0978.
- Urged the committee to pass the legislation "as soon as possible."
- Thanked Superintendent Ciccolo and Chief D'Entremont for their support.
- Confirmed that he worked on this with then-Captain Ciccolo and Mayor Tom Menino in the mid-2000s.
- Described the legislation as "common sense" to close a loophole, similar to existing agreements with Brookline and other towns.
- Provided additional examples of complex boundaries:
  - West Milton Street: One house has the Hyde Park line running literally halfway through it, with the bedroom in Hyde Park and the kitchen/living room/backyard in Dedham, posing jurisdictional challenges in case of an incident.
  - Boston Dedham Commerce Park, Reedville Yard 5, Boston Public Schools Bus Yard, Hurley Wire, National Grid Yard: All are split between Boston and Dedham.
- Acknowledged State Representative Paul McMurtry as a co-sponsor of the state bill.
- Expressed excitement that the legislation, after "almost 20 years of trying," passed the House, Senate, and was signed by the Governor.
- Urged a favorable report from the committee to provide police with "one more tool in the toolbox."

VI. Councilor Questions

Councilor Enrique Pepén:
- Origin of the Bill: Asked why Brookline and Boston have this agreement, but Dedham and Boston do not.
  - Rep. Consalvo: Explained the original Brookline legislation (Chapter 607 of the Mass General Laws) passed in 1979. Attributed the delay for Dedham to legislative workload and smaller matters not making it across the finish line, despite efforts dating back to the 1990s with State Representative Angelo Scaccia. Credited Chair McMurtry for pushing it through this year.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Noted that Brookline's border became heavily developed earlier, prompting the initial agreement. Newton followed suit for similar development reasons around LaGrange Street, Bryan Road, and Broadlawn Park.
  - Chief D'Entremont: Cited recent examples like a street takeover on October 5th at Washington and Grove (near the border) and a pedestrian strike on Sprague Street, where jurisdictional confusion arose.
- Boston Trust Act: Inquired about the implications of the agreement for the Boston Trust Act, especially concerning the immigrant community.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Explained that in practice, the responding department takes immediate action to preserve public safety. Follow-up and paperwork are then handled by the department with actual jurisdiction. Cited an example of a domestic violence incident near LaGrange Street where Boston Police responded, made an arrest, and then transferred the prisoner to Newton Police upon realizing the location was in Newton. Stated that a Boston officer attempting to evade the Trust Act would be considered misconduct.
  - Chief D'Entremont: Agreed with Superintendent Ciccolo's explanation.
- Industrial Drive Concerns: Asked about noise and air pollution complaints from residents on Ashcroft Street (Dedham) and Reedville/Hyde Park residents regarding the Industrial Drive space.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Stated he was not familiar with recent developments but recalled past noise/dust complaints from his time as captain in Hyde Park. Explained that the BPD would act as a conduit to Inspectional Services or Dedham officials for such issues.
  - Chief D'Entremont: Had not heard recent complaints from Ashcroft Street residents but confirmed that Dedham Police would communicate with Boston to address issues on Boston property, not intervene directly.
Councilor Erin Murphy:
- Details: Asked if the agreement would affect police details.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Stated it would not affect details, as those allow time to determine jurisdiction. It might allow for greater cooperation on projects spanning the city line.
- Fresh and Continuous Pursuit: Inquired about legal implications when a crime or accident starts in one jurisdiction and crosses into another.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Explained that for felonies, officers can pursue and arrest outside their jurisdiction. The issue arises with minor violations, such as traffic enforcement at the Providence Highway lights, where an officer cannot stop someone outside their jurisdiction for a violation committed within it.
- Modernization of Language: Asked if any updates were needed to the language, given that the Brookline/Newton agreements are decades old.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Stated, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," indicating no need for changes as the existing model has worked seamlessly.
Councilor Edward Flynn:
- Other Jurisdictions: Asked if Dedham is the only remaining outstanding jurisdiction needing such an agreement, or if other border areas (e.g., Cambridge, Charlestown) might also benefit.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Preferred not to complicate the current resolution. Acknowledged that areas like the Cambridge/Charlestown border are complex and might need similar agreements if development occurs (e.g., a stadium near Alfred Street). However, such legislation requires mutual interest and push from both municipalities, which has not been expressed by Everett or Cambridge to date.
Councilor Benjamin Weber:
- 500-Yard Number Origin: Asked about the origin of the 500-yard distance.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Explained that the original Brookline legislation used "rods," which was later updated to yards. It's a "common sense" distance to avoid arguments about exact boundaries in the field.
- Trust Act and Information Sharing: Followed up on the Trust Act, asking if the agreement could lead to information sharing or actions that violate the Trust Act.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Reaffirmed that the Boston Police Department is always governed by its own rules, including the Trust Act, regardless of location. Any attempt by a BPD member to evade the Trust Act would be considered misconduct.
  - Chief D'Entremont: Stated that Dedham Police has a policy against asking about immigration status.
- Liability: Confirmed that the City of Boston would cover a Boston police officer for actions taken in Dedham under this agreement, and Dedham would cover its officers.
  - Superintendent Ciccolo: Confirmed this understanding.
- Crosstown Avenue Example: Cited an example of a street (Crosstown Avenue) where Boston paved its portion, but not the Dedham portion, illustrating the practical challenges of split jurisdictions.

VII. Closing Remarks

Councilor Enrique Pepén:
- Thanked Superintendent Ciccolo, Chief D'Entremont, and Representative Consalvo for their expertise and work.
- Reiterated that this is "common sense legislation" to ensure proper emergency response and help for residents at the border.
- Thanked his staff and Chair Santana for organizing the hearing.
Chair Henry Santana:
- Thanked the superintendent and chief for their time.
- Thanked Councilor Pepén for filing the docket.

VIII. Adjournment

The hearing on Docket #0978 was adjourned.

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