Healey: Mass. has 'zero tolerance' for street takeovers

"Gov. Maura Healey announced a $14 million safety grant following several so-called street takeovers this month. Healey's press conference on Thursday was in response to violent car meetups that occurred in several cities on Oct. 4, which allegedly saw a crowd use fireworks to ignite a police cruiser in the South End. "We have zero tolerance for this kind of behavior," Healey said. "It poses a real significant threat to public safety and certainly harms quality of life in our neighborhoods and communities.""

""These are organized groups whose purpose is to cause chaos and disruption, to create public disturbance, and to draw attention from both the communities they harass and the police want to protect those communities, and they have succeeded in gaining our attention," said Fall River Police Chief Kelly Furtado. In response to these meetups, State Police worked with local departments to prevent other meetups that were advertised online."

"On Oct. 11, law enforcement across the state issued 232 civil citations, 74 warnings, and 20 criminal summons, arrested seven people, towed 15 vehicles, seized two vehicles under the Controlled Substances Act, and recovered one stolen car as part of the prevention work, Healey said. During Saturday's efforts, some of the involved motorists fled the scene and State Police are continuing to work to identify the suspects, Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble said."

Gov. Maura Healey announced a $14 million safety grant following a series of illegal street takeovers and violent car meetups. Officials reported an Oct. 4 incident in which a crowd allegedly used fireworks to ignite a police cruiser. State and local leaders described the meetups as organized, dangerous events that damage property and risk serious injury to bystanders, passengers, and officers. On Oct. 11, law enforcement issued 232 civil citations, 74 warnings, 20 criminal summons, arrested seven people, towed 15 vehicles, seized two under the Controlled Substances Act, and recovered one stolen car. Some motorists fled and investigations continue.

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