Boston, Regional Police Dodge Transparency Ordinance In Bolstering Surveillance Network At a public hearing at the end of November, Boston police and officials heard from activists and lawmakers concerned about transparency regarding surveillance technology in the city. The gunshot detection system ShotSpotter received particular criticism over accuracy and deployment, but officials defended the tech and […]
IS ANOTHER SHUTDOWN LOOMING?
Documents: “Complete shut-down of an MBTA rail route” again on the table for MBTA. Transit advocate says planning ahead is “a good thing,” but Red Line could be next and transparency is paramount. The MBTA is planning to double the amount of shuttle bus service in the next five years at a cost of tens […]
PHILHARMONICAL WARFARE
How the government secretly paid for the Boston Symphony Orchestra to promote American cultural enlightenment There is not much to see or do in Abilene, Kansas. Pulling into a local 24-hour gas station in a bug-splattered pickup earlier this year, I probably fit the profile of the typical visitor. For most, this town of less […]
PUBLIC RECORDS CRISIS DEEPENS
The case pertains to an investigation into the use of rodenticides by government agencies You have five days to agree to give us $22,000, or else … While this may sound like an extortion note from a B movie, it’s essentially a newly state sanctioned proper response to a public records request in Massachusetts. Some […]
A NEW AMERICAN PROJECT
In the nationwide bipartisan blitz to privatize public housing, Boston’s giving billions worth of benefits to some of America’s largest developers, financiers, and property management firms. Politicians are applauding, but for many residents caught in the transition, their housing future is unclear BY CHRIS FARAONE with research and reporting by ZACK HUFFMAN New rules “Sidewalks, […]