On the Missing Middle Housing zoning petition: We, the poor, know you won’t come back for us
Proposed “missing middle” zoning looks to benefit mid-income earners who want an opportunity to buy properties in Cambridge and gain equity long term. For those who are not that, it has nothing to do with them.
Plaza pleads guilty to manslaughter in 2018 death of Richelle Robinson, 15; he was a former friend
Isaias Plaza, 20, of Boston, a longtime suspect in the 2018 death of Richelle Robinson, pleaded guilty last week to manslaughter in connection with that death.
Council urges information on teenager’s killing, prevention of more violence, as family mourns
Police are being asked by city councillors to report as soon as possible what’s known of the Saturday killing of Xavier Louis-Jacques, 19, and what can be done to prevent further violence on Cambridge streets.
Attend meetings on tear gas, Covid reopenings, Harvard Square pot, small-business composting
Public meetings this week look at a tear gas law, Alewife rezoning and whether to rein in some coronavirus reopenings; how to search for a next city manager; a cannabis shop pitched for Harvard Square; a proposed school district budget for next fiscal year; and more.
Tear gas ban could be in place within 60 days, though council’s authority is rejected to do it
A policy prohibiting the use of tear gas, rather than a law, is “in the works,” Cambridge’s police commissioner said, because a surprise Law Department opinion says the City Council doesn’t have the power to enact one. Councillors say they may try anyway.
Attend meetings on easing way for businesses, real estate transfer fee, two new eateries, more
Public meetings this week look at surveillance technology, tear gas and why the Planning Board doesn’t like proposed green roofs zoning; bao coming to Central Square and felafel to Porter Square; an overhaul of what and where businesses can be; and enacting a real estate transfer fee.
One dead, one critically hurt in stairwell collapse during preservation work at First Street Garage
A collapsing stairwell at the city’s First Street Garage in East Cambridge killed a construction worker and left another man with “significant” chest and arm injuries early Wednesday.
Police reports on use of force show a spectrum, with little deescalation; Complaints hint at bias
Cambridge police use their fists and nightsticks, as well as pepper spray, and some have pointed guns at suspects who turned out to be unarmed. Officers ordered people out of a car at gunpoint and handcuffed them – in a case of mistaken identity. It’s all in their use-of-force reports.
Attend meetings on condo conversion fee idea, neighbor groups, Envision goals, Alewife plan
Public meetings this week look at the city’ credit ratings, zoning plans and whether to add affordable housing to a city parking lot in West Cambridge; services for students; neighborhood group representation and the goals of Envision Cambridge; and a possible condo conversion fee.
Transition House clarifies to councillors, police that it didn’t cosign Black Response open letter
We remain committed to our partnerships and will continue to operate with transparency and integrity with all involved. We offer our sincerest apologies for the miscommunication and for any negative feelings that may have been caused by seeing our name included in this letter.
