BOS:311

Rats in the trash

Very loud music after 11 pm at rev Loesch park

I am writing to report the extremely unprofessional and inappropriate conduct of a Boston Police officer who was directing traffic at the intersection of North Washington Street and Thatcher Street at approximately 11:00 p.m. on July 8. (In front of Handle Bar Heat) I witnessed the officer harass and verbally berate a woman who was simply waiting patiently to cross the street. The officer told her to get on the sidewalk, and she calmly responded that she was okay because she lived there. Rather than de-escalating the interaction, the officer became increasingly confrontational. He mocked her by saying she “must be from the suburbs,” despite her repeatedly stating that she lived right there and was simply trying to get home after a long day. The officer then got into her personal space, raised his voice, and continued trying to antagonize her. Throughout the entire interaction, the woman remained remarkably calm and did not engage in the officer’s hostility. There was no justification for the way she was treated. It was disturbing to witness a police officer initiate and escalate a confrontation with someone who was minding her own business. This behavior reflects poorly on the Boston Police Department and undermines public trust. No one should be subjected to intimidation or verbal abuse by an officer simply for waiting to cross the street. I hope this incident is reviewed and that the officer’s conduct is addressed appropriately. Based on what I witnessed, his behavior was unacceptable and warrants investigation.