The president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association has spoken out following a violent incident where a mob of over 100 people wreaked havoc in the streets of Boston. The chaos included setting a police cruiser on fire and attacking officers with fireworks, cones, and poles in what witnesses described as a “riot-like” assault on law enforcement.
Larry Calderone, the president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, condemned the deliberate and “hell-bent” targeting of police officers by the mob. He stated in an interview with Fox News that the attackers came with a plan to assault officers and executed it, calling their actions completely unacceptable.
The mayhem began in the early hours of October 5 when police responded to reports of illegal street racing and were met with a violent assault. The mob moved through four Boston communities, growing more aggressive at each stop before converging in the city’s South End. Calderone emphasized that this was a premeditated attack and warned that those seeking to terrorize the city or harm officers are not welcome.
Despite the severity of the situation, only two arrests were made, with Julian Bowers and William Cantwell facing charges including assault and battery on a police officer and malicious destruction of property. The judge set bail at just $500 for Bowers and $1,000 for Cantwell, leading to outrage from law enforcement officials.
Calderone described the incident as unprecedented and emphasized that such violence against officers will not be tolerated. Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden also condemned the chaos, promising to hold those involved accountable for their dangerous actions.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining public safety and upholding the rule of law.