Boston Cops say Women carry guns for gangs

Ask Hub clergy to help stem violence

SEEKING SOLUTIONS: Boston Police Superintendent in Chief William Gross, backed by police officers, speaks to the media after the meeting with Boston clergy.

 The city’s gang members are using women to hold their guns for them in case they are frisked, Boston police told clergy members in a closed-door meeting during which cops asked for the community’s help in stopping a spike in gang-related homicides.

“Young ladies are carrying guns for guys; this is a growing problem; this is a new problem,” a minister, who asked to remain anonymous, said cops told 
the clergy at police headquarters in Roxbury.

“Women are carrying the guns, because if the guys are stopped, they are clean,” the minister said.

That minister and another person who was in attendance and also spoke to the Herald under the condition he not be named said two former gang members who have since become religious told the clergy members they’re willing to reach out to gang members who might be hesitant to speak to pastors.

“Some of these kids can’t talk to you, but they’ll talk to me because I’ve been in,” a former gang member told the group, meaning he had served prison time, the pastor said.

About 25 clergy and 15 of the department’s brass, including Commissioner William Evans, met to form a “united front” against gang violence, Superintendent in Chief William Gross said.

This month’s spike in homicides — nine as of yesterday, up from three for the same period last year — is “not acceptable,” Gross said.

Gross complained about judges who are setting low bails and lenient probation conditions for repeat offenders, saying, “There is no way that certain individuals should be back on the street.”

A gun buyback program is under consideration, he said, as well as having clergy approach families, where guns are believed to be present in the home, to have them surrender the weapons.

SOURCE: BOSTON HERALD