Attacks by Boston youth ‘terrorizing unsuspecting citizens’ continue downtown; police can’t make arrests because many suspects ‘too younger’

Boston’s mayor and law enforcement officers are struggling to deal with a string of not less than five violent assaults involving juveniles “terrorizing unsuspecting residents” which have occurred throughout Boston.

The most recent assault occurred on Wednesday night time when Boston police had been dispatched to Boston Common shortly after 6:30 p.m. Two ladies claimed they have been attacked by 5 youngsters. The apparent ringleader of the group — a slim 5-foot-3-inch woman is “well known to Officers as she has been terrorizing unsuspecting residents of Downtown Boston,” in line with the Boston Herald.

The girl allegedly yelled, “Why you be talking (expletive)?” at one of the ladies who warned the kids to “behave.” The woman reportedly punched one woman’s face, knocking her glasses to the ground. The girl allegedly then stomped on the glasses earlier than hurling more punches.

At one minor was summonsed on delinquency prices of assault and battery and destruction of property, according to a report, however authorities said the 11-year-old ringleader is just too young to be charged.

A 2018 felony justice reform regulation prohibits the arrest or prosecution of kids below the age of 12 and limits the ability of law enforcement agencies to carry youngsters under the age of 14, Suffolk County District Lawyer Kevin Hayden said.

“We are well aware of the continuing public safety menace occurring within the Downtown Crossing area, and we are properly aware of the juveniles identified,” Hayden mentioned in an announcement.

Hayden said he “fully supports” the law, but added the primary responsibility for preventing the attacks falls on metropolis, state and group agencies.

“We urge those agencies to take every doable measure to intervene with the children involved,” Hayden mentioned. “Complaints have been issued towards the older juveniles recognized in these assaults and we're working with Boston Police to execute those complaints. We stand able to work with all neighborhood and government partners to deal with this pressing challenge.”

Mayor Michelle Wu on Friday mentioned it's “vital to have a look at the root causes right here,” and said her workplace is “working closely” with businesses and stakeholders, together with families, public safety companies, colleges, and others to attach the juveniles to support, WCVB reported.

The Division of Youngsters Youth and households is investigating, WCVB reported, and native police have elevated patrols in areas affected by the violence.

Roughly 200 individuals attended a digital Chinatown group meeting to name for more efforts to combat the violence, in accordance with the Herald.

Police have arrested a number of local youngsters in several associated incidents they attribute to a “specific group of violent juveniles,” in response to police studies obtained by MassLive.

5 youngsters arrested in reference to a Downtown Crossing attack earlier this month when a group of women and one boy attacked a woman standing at an intersection, calling her a “white b---- with braids,” the report states.

The town has acquired a “current barrage of juvenile incidents,” according to the report, including youngsters preventing in public, smashing storefront windows, committing aggravated assaults, and assaulting police officers.

The incidents embody the March twenty first assault of an 81 year-old man at a McDonald’s on Washington Street by 4 juveniles. Three juveniles additionally allegedly shattered the Silvertone Bar and Grill’s storefront window on the identical day when their makes an attempt to order alcohol had been denied, police reported.

On March 23, three juveniles were involved in a battle at Black Seed Cafe that was classified as an aggravated assault & battery, in line with the report.

One of many incidents is being reported as a hate crime, the Herald mentioned.

Related content material: