Grief and grievance
Since the morning of the Fourth of July, our news has been dominated by the shooting death of Xavier Bautista, a 32-year-old employee of the Department of Public Works. His family, partner and son have lost someone they loved. The city has lost someone with roots here and whose work touched anyone who entered our public spaces. (The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help defray the cost of a memorial service July 12).
There remain more questions than answers about the shooting. The big “what if?” is whether ShotSpotter could have helped save Bautista. The acoustic detection system is meant to accelerate response time to gunfire incidents where 911 is not called, but just weeks ago it was removed from Cambridge. The decision to do so was contentious and now subject to intense criticism, as will be clear in this week’s top stories.
While we continue to cover this tragedy, we are also engaged in other stories across the community. One involves the sole state house seat entirely within the city of Cambridge.
Public forum. Cambridge Day is sponsoring a debate of a different sort July 14. We’re bringing together state Rep. Marjorie Decker and her challenger, Evan MacKay to make their case for why they should represent the 25th Middlesex in the State House. We had a fun planning session last week in the Cambridge Public Library’s main branch. We’d love to hear what questions you would ask, and to see you July 14 at 7 p.m. at Street Theory Collective, 541 Mass. Ave.
Send us questions and register here.
Cambridge Day reporters go to the meetings, file the public records requests, and make the calls that hold local government accountable. That work happens because of reader support.
Top stories
Community members criticize city officials in meeting
Attendees questioned the public safety efforts in predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods, and the overall response of the city.
ShotSpotter was unlikely to pick up July 4 gunfire
The company that provides it has a fireworks suppression mode during Independence Day, meaning it may well have not reported the incident to police.
Shooting victim was a city employee
Xavier Bautista had deep family ties to Cambridge and was a DPW employee.
8th grade algebra needs improvement, say parents, educators
At the end of the program’s first year, some 60 percent of students will have to retake algebra in high school.
World Cup a winner for local businesses
Bars like Olde Magoun’s Saloon and Phoenix Landing have seen unprecedented sales. Even places not thought of as sports hubs are experiencing a soccer surge in sales.
Tenant tries to avoid eviction through bankruptcy
In what may be a first for the Cambridge Housing Authority, a renter in arrears has asked a bankruptcy court to stay action of removal.
Watch party and song fest
Today’s event highlight is the last World Cup game in Foxborough, and the penultimate Cambridge United watch party. This weekend brings Porchfest to Cambridge. For more events, check out our interactive calendar.
If you go to something, submit a photo to Community View.
And have a great Cambridge week!
Michael F. Fitzgerald
mfitzgerald@cambridgeday.com
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