I was saddened to hear about the frightening and tragic shooting at New Terrace Road. Having lived in this neighborhood for more than 30 years, I have friends and acquaintances in these apartment buildings and my children and I often visit them. Perhaps the removal of the Walk and Talk program by the Brookline Housing Authority was a mistake? The Walk and Talk program helped residents in these apartment buildings stay in touch with police officers who knew the young and the old in these buildings. Many times, the police officer’s personal relationship with a resident would help avert conflicts and trouble. I really miss knowing that there is a trusted, engaged and integrated community police officer that anyone can reach out to for help if they are worried about a teenager, a young adult, a disabled or elderly person for whatever reason. Can’t we bring the Walk and Talk program back? These police officers befriended everyone in these apartment buildings and really made a difference.
Elizabeth Childs is a former member of the town’s Committee on Policing Reforms.
Read the original article, Four teens charged in New Terrace Road shooting