Page 6 - Sentinel Volume 33 Issue 1 2017_Neat

“Man on the Street”

Written By:
Rick Pedrini
MPA Executive Board

Greetings brothers and sisters. Make no mistake, I sympathize with were “only” 33 arrests. A typical
As I write this we are approaching the those battling opiate addiction and I peaceful protest. They recently put out
end of summer. I hope you all enjoyed understand that it is one of the most a guideline on so-called “Symbols of
your summer vacations and got some serious public health and public safety Hate”. You guessed it, The Thin Blue
good family time in. For those of you problems we’ve seen in some time. Line sticker and flag are on the list along
who spent your summer “in the books” That said, we as police officers HAVE with other assorted Neo-Nazi and White
preparing for promotional exams, I hope to be part of the solution. Prevention Supremacist banners. These ANTIFA
you at least got to relax a little bit. Of and treatment options need to be paired types are the same ones who wave the
course, HRD moving the exam date to with enforcement and prosecution. The USSR Hammer and Sickle flag at their
September didn’t help matters. “Drug Court” option has been very protests. Hammer and Sickle? Really?
successful in Middlesex County. With Do these folks even know who Lenin
Where do I begin? So far, the current the elimination of certain statutes and and Stalin were? As a child of the
legislative session has been consumed rights of arrest, we have essentially 1980’s I consider that flag to be a pretty
with the budget and marijuana witnessed the de-criminalization of serious symbol of evil and oppression. I
regulations. I know this comes as no opiates and the problem continues to need a safe space pronto!
surprise, but many of the people who get worse. In another example of “How
voted for marijuana legalization are Massachusetts is it?”, there is a porposal National Police Week was a terrific
now opposed to the legal sale of that out there to have “Safe Injection Sites” experience as usual. Many thanks
product within their communities. How set up in Boston. Funny how the they’re to Amyclaire Brusch, Friends of
“Massachusetts” it that? not proposed in Belmont, Cambridge, New England’s Finest, O’Neill and
or Watertown. At what point does Associates for their generosity in hosting
The fall promises to be busy with “enabling” become “assistance” or a terrific reception at The Liaison. The
Criminal Justice Reform and several joint venture? Candlelight Vigil was motivational and
other bills with serious ramifications for inspiring. My only constructive criticism
our members. The Speaker’s version The SJC has recently ruled that local is the location of Tent City. Traffic was
of CJ Reform seems to be a little bit and state law enforcement have no legal a nightmare getting in and out no matter
more palatable than the Senate’s. The authority to detain illegal immigrants the time of day.
AG is weighing in on certain limits and for federal authorities without a federal
guidelines pertaining to drug offenses. warrant. Remember, these are people Save the Date: The annual
The MPA legislative team has been who have already been arrested on Massachusetts Law Enforcement
working in conjunction with other police probable cause for various state offenses. Memorial Ceremony is scheduled for
groups to ensure we “are all on the same Gov. Baker has filed legislation to Friday, September 29th. 12 pm to 1:30
page” when it comes to these important remedy this but there is stiff resistance pm at the Ashburton Memorial Park
bills. with the Sanctuary State-types in the adjacent to the State House.
legislature. What used to be common
The advocates for the criminal class sense isn’t so common anymore. The This year’s Annual Convention is in
continue to speak about the poor ACLU now controls the narrative and Plymouth at the newly renovated Hotel
“non-violent” drug offenders rotting Sanctuary Cities are now referred to as 1620, Plymouth Harbor, October 25-
in the bowels of the Commonwealth’s “Freedom Cities” and they are promoting 27. The Annual MPA Scholarship Golf
correctional facilities. We are told that the a “ACLU Freedom Cities Initiative”. Tournament will be on Wednesday,
those who sell heroin and Fentanyl in How could anyone disagree with that? October 25. See you there!
our communities are simply working
to support their own habits. We get Speaking of controlling the narrative, In closing, Stay Safe and watch out for
the same excuses for the B&E’s, car the so-called ANTIFA movement is each other.
breaks and other assorted felonies now aligned with BLM as we saw
committed by the addicted masses. this weekend in Boston where there
6 MASSACHUSETTS POLICE ASSOCIATION