Law enforcement veteran Michael Letts believes that something needs to be done about an amendment put in place that prevents new officers from joining the ranks.
Boston is the latest city to see a major increase in crime, with few officers being able to do anything about it.
Over the weekend, the city of South Bay was overrun with over 100 kids engaging in criminal activity and violence, resulting in 13 of them being arrested. However, according to the president of the union that serves Boston Police members, Larry Calderone, part of the problem is not having enough officers to get the job done.
“We need hundreds of officers, and we need them tomorrow,” Calderone said, according to CBS News.
But part of the problem that prevents more officers being hired is apparently surrounding a residency requirement, which makes it mandatory that an officer lives in the city of Boston for ten years in order to be on the job.
Calderone scoffed at this amendment, stating, “To be frank, police officers are not going to uproot their families, and come to the most expensive city in the commonwealth to try and purchase a $900,000 home with failing school systems and crime that is rampant.”
Police Commissioner Michael Cox noted he had been discussing this with Mayor Wu, but notes he hasn’t pushed forward in removing the requirement. “There is a correlation between respect for the job, appreciation for the job,” he said.
But that respect won’t mean much if the city continues to be overrun with crime.
Joining us now to discuss this further is Michael Letts, a law enforcement veteran with over 30 years of experience under his belt. Letts serves as President, Founder and CEO of InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to police officers through various charitable groups and sponsorships. His expertise should prove useful in this matter.
Q&A:
- Why do you believe Boston would have put this residency requirement in place for police officers? Do they believe in a certain sense of loyalty, or could there be another reason?
- Does this residency requirement make sense when it gets in the way of hiring new police officers? Especially now, when they’re needed the most?
- Why do you think Commissioner Cox is more concerned about the “respect for the job, appreciation for the job,” rather than protecting the citizens?
- Do you see crime getting worse as the year goes on, possibly growing even more in numbers by 2024?
- Is there a chance that President Biden will finally approve a bill to allow for better police funding in states that have become overrun with crime, such as Seattle or Portland? Or will things get worse?
- You’re the creator of InVest USA, an organization that provides bulletproof vests to police officers through various charitable groups and sponsorships. Tell us more about that, and why support for fellow officers is so important right now.
- Tell us more about RestoringJustice.US, the new website where you help out citizens in need surrounding law matters.
- Where can we learn more about InVest USA, Restoring Justice and whatever else you’re working on?
- You can visit our official InVest USA website, and learn more on the official Invest USA Twitter account. You can also learn about our new initiative at RestoringJustice.US.
About Michael Letts:
Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website here.
CONTACT: Jerry McGlothlin at: geraldmcg@outlook.com or 919-437-0001.
