ROXBURY, Mass. (WHDH) — Boston police and community members were joined by Mayor Marty Walsh Friday evening for a vigil and peace walk in Roxbury to honor the police officers killed in Dallas.
“Those officers were protecting people exercising their First Amendment rights, using their voices of logic and not the ignorance of destruction like the murderer,” said Boston Police Supt. William Gross. The peace walks happen in different parts of the city each Friday to help build good relationships between the police and the communities they serve.
Walsh and police officers also joined people at a prayer service held at a Roxbury church.
Boston Police halted the use of one-officer patrols in the aftermath of the violence in Dallas. Police said in a statement that two officers will ride together in every patrol car in the city as a precaution “in the best interests of officer safety.” The change was to remain in place at least through Friday.
Police also sent out a memo warning of increased hostility toward police and said a number of known Boston gang members have posted public threats toward officers. However, police do not think the threats are credible.
Gov. Charlie Baker ordered the U.S. and Massachusetts flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings following the shootings that killed five Dallas police officers and injured several others.
Baker said the flags will remain lowered for five days.
The governor calls Thursday’s attack on law enforcement officers a “senseless and heinous crime,” and said he hoped the nation would come together after a tumultuous period.
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh released a statement Friday morning:
“My thoughts are with the Dallas officers who were killed last night, and their families, and I’m praying for fast recovery for the injured. I unequivocally condemn violence against law enforcement officers. Whatever motivated this horrific attack, we should do all we can as a community and a nation to prevent it from inflaming existing tensions around police interactions. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, violence solves no problem but is “a descending spiral ending in destruction for all.” We can and we must work together to end all the deadly violence afflicting our country.”
Baker released a statement Friday:
“My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the innocent who lost their lives this week in Minnesota, Louisiana and Texas and I hope our nation can come together after a tumultuous and difficult period for so many across the country. Last night’s deadly attacks on Dallas law enforcement represent a senseless and heinous crime against our brave first responders who put their lives at risk every day to keep our communities safe. Our administration is in constant communication with federal and local partners to ensure the safety and security of our communities in the Commonwealth.”
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