BOSTON — In the wake of Thursday night's deadly ambush on police in Dallas, Texas, the Boston Police Department is taking precautions to keep its officers safe.
The Boston Police Department announced on Twitter Friday morning it would be pairing officers up and all patrols would be two-officer crews.
In light of the tragedy in Dallas and in the best interests of
— Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) July 8, 2016
officer safety, all #BPD patrols will be conducted by two-officer units.
The Boston Police Department also said it would be lowering flags to half-staff in honor of the victims in Dallas.
Mayor Marty Walsh responds:
My thoughts are with the Dallas officers who were killed last night, and their families, and I'm praying for fast recovery for the injured. I unequivocally condemn violence against law enforcement officers. Whatever motivated this horrific attack, we should do all we can as a community and a nation to prevent it from inflaming existing tensions around police interactions. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, violence solves no problem but is "a descending spiral ending in destruction for all." We can and we must work together to end all the deadly violence afflicting our country.
Governor Charlie Baker responds:
Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered the U.S. and Massachusetts flags to be lowered to half-staff. Baker said Friday the flags will remain lowered for five days. The order also covers city and town halls and state military installations.
In a statement, the Republican governor said his heart breaks for the families of those who lost their lives this week in Texas and in police-involved shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana.
He called the attack Thursday night on law enforcement officers a "senseless and heinous crime," and said he hoped the nation would come together after a tumultuous period.
Gov. Baker's full statement:
My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the innocent who lost their lives this week in Minnesota, Louisiana and Texas and I hope our nation can come together after a tumultuous and difficult period for so many across the country. Last night's deadly attacks on Dallas law enforcement represent a senseless and heinous crime against our brave first responders who put their lives at risk every day to keep our communities safe. Our administration is in constant communication with federal and local partners to ensure the safety and security of our communities in the Commonwealth
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