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

Governing Body: Boston City Council Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice Meeting Type: Public Hearing Meeting Date: November 6, 2025 Attendees:

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

Executive Summary: The Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice convened to discuss and consider the adoption of Chapter 270 of the Acts of 2024, a statewide bill allowing for police cooperation between the City of Boston and the Town of Dedham. This legislation, sponsored by Councilor Enrique Pepén and State Representative Rob Consalvo, aims to extend a 500-yard jurisdictional buffer, similar to existing agreements with Brookline and Newton, to the Boston-Dedham border. The primary goal is to enhance public safety and mitigate liability risks for both municipalities by clarifying police authority in areas where the municipal boundary bisects buildings, roads, and undeveloped land, particularly in Hyde Park, West Roxbury, and Roslindale.

• Date and Time: November 6, 2025, at 2:03 p.m.
• Chair: Councilor Henry Santana.
• Virtual Meeting: Conducted virtually via Zoom in accordance with Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025.
• Recording and Livestream: The hearing was recorded, livestreamed at boston.gov/city-council-tv, and broadcast on Xfinity Channel 8, RCN Channel 82, and Files Channel 964.
• Public Comment: Written comments could be sent to ccc.ps@boston.gov. Public testimony was taken at the end of the hearing, with individuals having two minutes to speak. Sign-up was via email to Megan at megancoruto@boston.gov.

• Subject: 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.
• Purpose: The proposed bill would allow a police officer from Dedham to exercise police powers as if a sworn officer of Boston within 500 yards of the border, and vice versa for Boston officers in Dedham. This aims to facilitate interagency collaboration and seamless services in border neighborhoods like Hyde Park, West Roxbury, and Roslindale.

• Councilor Henry Santana (Chair): Emphasized the priority of effective law enforcement services for all residents, including cooperation with neighboring communities. Highlighted the benefits of interagency collaboration for resident safety and support.
• Councilor Enrique Pepén (Lead Sponsor):
  • Expressed support for the bill, acknowledging State Representative Rob Consalvo's work.
  • Noted the specific concerns of District 5, which includes Hyde Park and borders Dedham.
  • Referenced the existing continuity buffer with Brookline (in place for over 40 years) as a model.
  • Thanked the Boston Police Department and Dedham Police Department for their presence.
• Councilor Erin Murphy:
  • Expressed interest in understanding the collaboration, drawing parallels to existing arrangements with BHA housing police, colleges, and State 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, noting observations at the VA in West Roxbury.
  • Acknowledged the existing cooperation between the two departments.

• Panelists Introduced:
  • Superintendent Robert Sikola Jr., Chief Bureau of Field Services, Boston Police Department.
  • Chief Michael D'Entremont, Chief of Police, Dedham Police Department.
• Superintendent Robert Sikola Jr. (Boston Police Department):
  • Stated that the legislation is modeled word-for-word on existing agreements with Brookline and Newton, simply substituting "Dedham."
  • Problem Statement: The border between Boston and Dedham is increasingly developed, creating public safety and liability risks.
  • Visual Examples (Slideshow):
    • 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 (requiring travel through Canton/Milton) and liability risks for Boston officers who might unknowingly operate outside their jurisdiction.
    • Former J. Baker Warehouse: Similar situation, with one-third of the half-mile-long building in Boston, creating response and liability issues.
    • Carrollton Road (West Roxbury-Dedham Line): The city line runs through residential backyards, making it difficult for officers to track jurisdiction during emergencies.
    • Industrial Drive (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.
  • Existing Agreements: Similar agreements with Newton and Brookline have operated seamlessly for decades, enhancing public safety and limiting liability.
• Chief Michael D'Entremont (Dedham Police Department):
  • Agreed with Superintendent Sikola's points regarding areas requiring passage through one jurisdiction to access another.
  • Traffic Signals: Noted that traffic signals on Providence Highway at the Dedham-Boston line are barely in Dedham. The buffer would allow for enforcement of traffic violations (e.g., red lights, OUI) that occur at these points.
  • Cut-Through Routes: Boston cruisers use Buzzy Street, Milton Street, and Center Street (in Dedham) to travel between areas of Boston. Dedham officers use Providence Highway to access the Dedham Mall area. The buffer would provide necessary police authority if an incident occurs while cutting through.
  • Intent: Emphasized that officers would only cross borders when activity necessitates it.

• State Representative Rob Consalvo:
  • Thanked the committee for the hearing and Councilor Pepén for filing the local adoption of Docket 0978.
  • Urged the committee and Council to pass the bill quickly.
  • Thanked Superintendent Sikola and Chief D'Entremont for their support.
  • Confirmed that he worked on earlier versions of this legislation with then-Captain Sikola and Mayor Tom Menino in the mid-2000s.
  • Described the bill as "common sense" to close a loophole, similar to existing agreements with Brookline and other towns.
  • Highlighted the unique situation in Hyde Park and West Roxbury, particularly in his district (District 5 / 14th Suffolk).
  • Cited specific examples:
    • Traffic signals and stop signs at the border.
    • A constituent's house on West Milton Street where the Hyde Park line runs through the middle, with the bedroom in Hyde Park and the kitchen/living room in Dedham.
    • The 50-plus acres at the Stop & Shop warehouse, Boston Dedham Commerce Park, Readville Yard 5, Boston Public Schools Bus Yard, Hurley Wire, and National Grid Yard are all split by the municipal boundary.
  • Emphasized the need to give police all necessary tools for public safety enforcement.
  • Expressed excitement that the bill passed the House, Senate, and was signed by the Governor after nearly 20 years of effort.
  • Urged a favorable report from the committee and passage by the full Council.

• Councilor Enrique Pepén:
  • Origin of the Bill: Asked why Brookline and Boston have this agreement, but Dedham and Boston do not.
    • Rep. Consalvo: Explained that the Brookline legislation (Chapter 607 of the Mass General Laws) passed in 1979. Efforts for Dedham began in the 1990s with State Representative Angelo Scaccia but faced legislative workload challenges and time constraints. Momentum this year, thanks to Chair McMurtry, led to its passage.
    • Superintendent Sikola: Noted that Brookline's boundary developed earlier, raising the issue first. Newton followed for similar reasons related to development around LaGrange Street, Bryan Road, and Broadlawn Park. "Similar problems breed similar solutions."
  • Boston Trust Act: Asked how the proposed relationship would interact with the Boston Trust Act, especially concerning the immigrant community.
    • Superintendent Sikola: Explained that officers respond to calls, take immediate action for public safety, and then hand off follow-up to the department with actual jurisdiction. Provided an example of a domestic violence incident where Boston Police responded, made an arrest, and then transferred the prisoner to Newton Police upon realizing the location was in Newton. Stated that the bill prevents unlawful arrests and liability for officers acting outside jurisdiction during immediate threats.
    • Chief D'Entremont: Agreed with Superintendent Sikola's explanation.
    • Superintendent Sikola: Clarified that the Boston Police Department is always governed by its own rules, including the Trust Act, regardless of location. Any attempt by a Boston officer to evade the Trust Act would be considered misconduct.
  • Industrial Drive Noise/Smell Complaints: Inquired about noise and air pollution complaints from residents of Dedham (Ashcroft Street) and Readville/Hyde Park regarding the Industrial Drive space.
    • Superintendent Sikola: Stated he was not familiar with recent developments but recalled past complaints that were addressed by acting as a conduit to Inspectional Services or the Town of Dedham.
    • 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 Sikola: Stated it would not affect details, as those involve time for planning and checking plot plans. It might allow for greater cooperation on projects spanning the city line.
  • Fresh and Continuous Pursuit: Asked about the legal implications if a crime or accident starts in Dedham and a pursuit crosses into Boston.
    • Superintendent Sikola: Explained that for felonies, fresh and continuous pursuit allows officers to pursue and arrest outside their jurisdiction. The issue arises with minor violations (e.g., traffic lights on Providence Highway) where an officer cannot stop someone outside their jurisdiction for a violation committed within it. The bill addresses this gap.
  • Modernization of Language: Asked if any additions or subtractions were needed, given that the original Brookline/Newton legislation is decades old.
    • Superintendent Sikola: Stated he was not aware of any needed changes, adhering to the principle of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," as the existing agreements have operated smoothly.
• Councilor Edward Flynn:
  • Other Jurisdictions: Asked if Dedham was the only remaining jurisdiction needing such an agreement, or if other border areas (e.g., Cambridge, Charlestown) might benefit.
    • Superintendent Sikola: Preferred not to complicate the current bill. Acknowledged that other complex border areas exist (e.g., Cambridge/Charlestown, potential development near Alfred Street). However, such legislation requires both municipalities to see a need and push forward together, which has not been expressed by Everett or Cambridge to date.
• Councilor Benjamin Weber:
  • 500-Yard Number: Asked about the origin of the 500-yard distance.
    • Superintendent Sikola: Explained that the original Brookline legislation used "rods" and was later updated to yards. It's a "common sense" distance to ensure clarity and avoid arguments about exact boundaries, especially in the dark or emergencies.
  • Trust Act and Liability: Followed up on the Trust Act, asking if Dedham could compel information that Boston could not, or if a Boston officer in Dedham would be bound by Boston's Trust Act.
    • Superintendent Sikola: Reaffirmed that the Boston Police Department is always governed by its own rules, including the Trust Act, regardless of where its officers operate. Any attempt to evade the Trust Act would be considered misconduct. Confirmed that the City of Boston would cover a Boston police officer's liability if sued for actions within this agreement, and Dedham would do the same for its officers.
  • Paving Example: Cited an example of Crosstown Avenue where Boston paved its portion but not the Dedham portion, illustrating the inconvenience of municipal boundaries.

• Councilor Enrique Pepén:
  • Thanked Chief D'Entremont and Superintendent Sikola for their knowledge and work.
  • Reiterated that this is "common sense legislation" to ensure correct emergency response and aid at the border.
  • Thanked Rep. Consalvo for his persistence over 40 years.
  • Thanked his City Council staff and Chair Santana for organizing the hearing.
• Councilor Henry Santana (Chair):
  • Thanked Councilor Pepén for filing the docket.
  • Thanked the Superintendent and Chief for their time.
  • Thanked all attendees.

• The hearing on Docket 0978 was adjourned.