The Boston Police Department is proud and pleased to announce that this year’s Caribbean Festival was conducted in a successful manner as thousands attended and enjoyed this year’s festival and parade. The Boston Police Department did make 23 arrests. Of the 23 arrests, four were made in connection to gun-related offenses. In addition to the arrests, the department is pleased to announce the safe and successful return of several children lost during the festivities.Prior to this year’s event, the Boston Police, in collaboration with several other agencies, worked diligently to draw up and implement a proactive plan with preventative measures designed to ensure a safe and trouble free environment for all those attending this year’s festival. Among the measures implemented, Boston Police made a concerted effort to identify and locate specific individuals intent on disrupting this year’s event. With help from the Probation Department, 23 individuals were identified and disallowed from attending this year’s festival as a part of their probationary terms.
Moreover, Operation PAWS, a citywide warrant program conducted to combat and prevent gang violence, was employed the week leading up to this year’s festival. As a result of Operation PAWS, Boston Police arrested 56 individuals. In addition to the above, numerous intelligence gathering efforts, information analysis and video surveillance provided essential aid and support to all officers assigned to the festival.
The Boston Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their help and assistance in achieving the desired goal:
· Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
· Boston EMS
· Boston Fire Department
· Probation Department
· Massachusetts State Police
· MBTA Transit Police
· Department of Conservation & Recreation
· Boston Police Youth Violence Strike Force
· Boston Police Fugitive Apprehension Team
· United States Marshals
· Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley
· Department of Youth Services
· Boston Transportation Department
· Boston Public Works
· Inspectional Services
· Boston Regional Intelligence Center
· All uniformed Boston Police Officers assigned to the Parade Route
CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL INCIDENTS:
ON SCENE RESPONSE TO SHOTS FIRED INCIDENT ENABLES POLICE TO ARREST ONE FOR GUN POSSESSION
At about 6:15pm, on Saturday, August 23, 2008, officers assigned to the Caribbean Festival were stationed in the area of Warren Street and Elm Hill Avenue. Prior to the incident, members of the Dudley Street Safe Street Team were closely monitoring a large group of individuals who appeared to be of unlawful design. In fact, the officers were in the process of approaching the kids, many of whom were known to the officers as a result of previous interactions, when the firearm was discharged. When shots were fired, these officers, given their close proximity to the incident, were able to swiftly respond and quickly apprehend several suspects wanted in connection with the shooting. In fact, officers on scene were able to positively identify the individual seen holding the firearm. That individual, a 16 year-old male from Dorchester, was arrested and charged with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm & Ammunition, Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Possession of a Loaded Firearm on a Public Way and Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Dwelling. The suspect was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. In addition to the arrest, officers were able to locate and seize two firearms.
CONCERNED CITIZEN HELPS POLICE IDENTIFY AND ARREST GUN CARRYING FESTIVAL GOER
At about 4:40pm, on Saturday, August 23, 2008, officers assigned to the Caribbean Festival were stationed in the area of the parade route when a concerned citizen approached the officers and informed them that they had observed an individual with a gun. According to the concerned citizen, the suspect had a silver-colored firearm tucked into his waistband area. The witness provided a description of the suspect. In short time, officers were able to locate the suspect. After a pat frisk, officers were able to locate the firearm. Officers arrested Pierre Morency, 25, of Stanford, CT and charged him with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
POLICE ARREST ONE FOR GUN & MACE POSSESSION
At about 2:38pm, on Saturday, August 23, 2008, officers assigned to the Caribbean Festival observed four individuals exiting a motor vehicle in the area of Fenelon & Merrill Streets. As the individuals were exiting the car, officers noted that the individuals looked in the direction of the officers and then quickly walked in the opposite direction. Given their uneasy reaction to seeing the officers, followed by their hasty departure, officers approached the individuals. While speaking to the operator of the motor vehicle, officers were able to detect an odor of alcohol emanating from his person. When asked if he had been drinking, the suspect replied, “Yes.” A pat frisk of the suspect enabled officers to recover a canister of mace and what appeared to be a shank. When officers asked the individual if there were any additional weapons inside his motor vehicle, the suspect gave officers permission to look inside. Upon looking inside the motor vehicle, officers observed and seized a firearm. Officers arrested LaMotte Hyman, 22, of Dorchester and charged him with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and the Unlawful Possession of Chemical Mace.

The Boston Police Department is proud and pleased to announce that this year’s Caribbean Festival was conducted in a successful manner as thousands attended and enjoyed this year’s festival and parade. The Boston Police Department did make 23 arrests. Of the 23 arrests, four were made in connection to gun-related offenses. In addition to the arrests, the department is pleased to announce the safe and successful return of several children lost during the festivities.Prior to this year’s event, the Boston Police, in collaboration with several other agencies, worked diligently to draw up and implement a proactive plan with preventative measures designed to ensure a safe and trouble free environment for all those attending this year’s festival. Among the measures implemented, Boston Police made a concerted effort to identify and locate specific individuals intent on disrupting this year’s event. With help from the Probation Department, 23 individuals were identified and disallowed from attending this year’s festival as a part of their probationary terms.
Moreover, Operation PAWS, a citywide warrant program conducted to combat and prevent gang violence, was employed the week leading up to this year’s festival. As a result of Operation PAWS, Boston Police arrested 56 individuals. In addition to the above, numerous intelligence gathering efforts, information analysis and video surveillance provided essential aid and support to all officers assigned to the festival.
The Boston Police Department would like to thank the following agencies for their help and assistance in achieving the desired goal:
· Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
· Boston EMS
· Boston Fire Department
· Probation Department
· Massachusetts State Police
· MBTA Transit Police
· Department of Conservation & Recreation
· Boston Police Youth Violence Strike Force
· Boston Police Fugitive Apprehension Team
· United States Marshals
· Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley
· Department of Youth Services
· Boston Transportation Department
· Boston Public Works
· Inspectional Services
· Boston Regional Intelligence Center
· All uniformed Boston Police Officers assigned to the Parade Route
CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL INCIDENTS:
ON SCENE RESPONSE TO SHOTS FIRED INCIDENT ENABLES POLICE TO ARREST ONE FOR GUN POSSESSION
At about 6:15pm, on Saturday, August 23, 2008, officers assigned to the Caribbean Festival were stationed in the area of Warren Street and Elm Hill Avenue. Prior to the incident, members of the Dudley Street Safe Street Team were closely monitoring a large group of individuals who appeared to be of unlawful design. In fact, the officers were in the process of approaching the kids, many of whom were known to the officers as a result of previous interactions, when the firearm was discharged. When shots were fired, these officers, given their close proximity to the incident, were able to swiftly respond and quickly apprehend several suspects wanted in connection with the shooting. In fact, officers on scene were able to positively identify the individual seen holding the firearm. That individual, a 16 year-old male from Dorchester, was arrested and charged with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm & Ammunition, Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon, Possession of a Loaded Firearm on a Public Way and Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Dwelling. The suspect was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit. In addition to the arrest, officers were able to locate and seize two firearms.
CONCERNED CITIZEN HELPS POLICE IDENTIFY AND ARREST GUN CARRYING FESTIVAL GOER
At about 4:40pm, on Saturday, August 23, 2008, officers assigned to the Caribbean Festival were stationed in the area of the parade route when a concerned citizen approached the officers and informed them that they had observed an individual with a gun. According to the concerned citizen, the suspect had a silver-colored firearm tucked into his waistband area. The witness provided a description of the suspect. In short time, officers were able to locate the suspect. After a pat frisk, officers were able to locate the firearm. Officers arrested Pierre Morency, 25, of Stanford, CT and charged him with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
POLICE ARREST ONE FOR GUN & MACE POSSESSION
At about 2:38pm, on Saturday, August 23, 2008, officers assigned to the Caribbean Festival observed four individuals exiting a motor vehicle in the area of Fenelon & Merrill Streets. As the individuals were exiting the car, officers noted that the individuals looked in the direction of the officers and then quickly walked in the opposite direction. Given their uneasy reaction to seeing the officers, followed by their hasty departure, officers approached the individuals. While speaking to the operator of the motor vehicle, officers were able to detect an odor of alcohol emanating from his person. When asked if he had been drinking, the suspect replied, “Yes.” A pat frisk of the suspect enabled officers to recover a canister of mace and what appeared to be a shank. When officers asked the individual if there were any additional weapons inside his motor vehicle, the suspect gave officers permission to look inside. Upon looking inside the motor vehicle, officers observed and seized a firearm. Officers arrested LaMotte Hyman, 22, of Dorchester and charged him with the Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and the Unlawful Possession of Chemical Mace.