BOSTON (WHDH) – Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey addressed the troubling trend of illegal car meetups happening across the state on Wednesday. The address comes after several unruly gatherings were reported on Sunday, including one in Boston in which a Boston police cruiser was vandalized and set on fire.
There have also been meetups in Fall River, Middleboro, and Randolph.
Five people were arrested in Fall River and two were arrested in Boston.
“These car meetups are completely destructive, dangerous and against the law,” Healey said in a statement. “I am disgusted by this behavior and will be taking action to support law enforcement and hold accountable anyone who attacks our police and communities to the fullest extent of the law.”
In her address, Healey said she’s working with state and local law enforcement to crack down on these meetups.
When asked if she condemns the crimes so that President Trump doesn’t send in the National Guard, like he has in other blue states to combat crime, Healey said, “He shouldn’t. He absolutely shouldn’t. There’s no need for that here in Massachusetts. Local and state lawmakers work really closely and well together.”
“Crime does happen. I’m talking about a trend we’re seeing here,” said Healey. The important thing is we’re responding, we take action, we’re going to continue to do that, so there’s simply no reason for any guard to come anywhere near Massachusetts.”
Healey ordered the Massachusetts State Police to work with local police to monitor online planning of these activities, to identify the people involved, arrest them, and punish them.
“Zero tolerance for this in the commonwealth, not gonna happen here and if you do it, you’re gonna be punished. I’m serious,” said Healey.
Larry Calderone, the President of the Boston Police Patrolman’s Association, said officers need to know the courts have their backs, which is why former police officer and current State…