Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — City leaders held a press conference on Wednesday at Walsh Playground in Dorchester to announce Boston's summer safety plan.
Mayor Michelle Wu said the plan includes more weekend events for teenagers and a promise to provide a paid summer job for every teen who wants one.
She said one of the goals of the plan is to reduce gun violence in the city.
She praised the non-profit Cummings Foundation in Woburn for its ongoing efforts to make the city safer. "The Cummings Foundation has decided to make another million-dollar gift to build on our momentum to make sure Boston stays safe for everyone," Wu said.
Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox provided the city's latest crime statistics that show gunfire incidents are down 12% and shooting victim totals are down 33% compared to Boston's five-year average.
Another focus area of the safety plan is health and wellness.
Isaac Yablo is Boston's Senior Adviser for Community Safety.
He said a goal is to enhance safety through space activation. "We want to activate multiple micro-locations that have experienced heightened levels of community violence during the summer months and promote community-level initiatives."
A small group of protesters were at the event voicing their anger over Mayor Wu's 2027 proposed budget that they said eliminates 1,800 city-funded jobs during the school year.
WBZ NewsRadio's Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.