Boston, MA-The Interim Chancellor at The University of Massachusetts Boston is no longer allowing the Massachusetts State Police Troopers to park on campus.
In a letter to students, faculty, alumni and staff, Interim Chancellor Katherine Newman said police cars on campus can “serve as an implied deterrent to the right to protest.” According to Newman, “members of the majority-minority campus… felt unheard, offended, or frightened by the presence on campus of state police.”
Hampden Police Chief Jeff Farnsworth is the President of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. He told 25 Investigates Reporter Ted Daniel, “there was no communication. It was an abject decision made on perceptions without discussion."
“Basically we’re talking about a series of cruisers that were parked in a parking lot. And they were afraid of the optics of that. And to me that’s quite surprising and disheartening.” Farnsworth said.
UMass Boston has allowed police agencies were allowed to use their parking lots as a meeting spot for big events such as the Boston Marathon. During the George Floyd protests, state troopers have also parked on campus.
5 Comments
Paul Gamber
6/5/2020 06:13:10 pm
I am not an alumni, but I took all my pre-med courses at UMass Boston. I am extremely disappointed in the decision of the the interim chancellor. Those same police cars might also be an "implied deterrent" to someone wanting to go into the campus and commit heinous acts like Virginia Tech and others! Cut the safe zone bullshit. If the police ACTUALLY deter peaceful protests protected by our 1st amendment to the Constitution...then you have a causative action! Unless and until that happens...stop alienating the 99% of the people who put their lives on the line to protect us because their is the 1% outliers. There are 1% of college professors who suck...we don't expect you to dismiss your entire faculty. Greatly disappointed!
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Linn
6/6/2020 07:37:56 am
Execellent response.
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John
6/6/2020 11:05:46 am
Very well said, I'm floored!
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Mary
6/5/2020 07:28:10 pm
Was this decision voted on? Or was it made solely by the chancellor? Did all students vote? If my child was attending school there I would feel more st ease knowing that the police presence was there. Pray to God that an incident doesn’t occur or the chancellor will not hold her position much longer!
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John
6/6/2020 11:02:52 am
I can't believe what I'm reading. Majority-minority? Isn't that everyone? The powers that be are treating law enforcement like a bunch of criminals, because of a few bad cops. Yes, the law enforcement needs to be investigated but to treat them all with this disrespect is wrong. They risk their lives for us every day, and this is the thsnks that they get? Katherine, you couldn't be any further off the mark and you owe the State Police, and all of law enforcement for this slap in the face, a huge apology
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