A Florida prosecutor has declined to move forward with criminal charges against Duane Danforth, a Brookline police detective who was arrested in January after an altercation at Walt Disney World. Court records show that in May, a Florida state attorney filed a “no information notice,” stating that the case was “not suitable for prosecution.” “Because… Continue reading Florida prosecutor drops charges against Brookline detective arrested for Disney World altercation
Category: Public safety
Police investigating Egmont Street gunshots
Police are investigating after gunshots rang out on Egmont Street on Saturday night. There were no injuries, police said. They did not say whether the gunfire was targeted at anyone. The Brookline Police Department received several reports of gunshots around 10:41 p.m. on Saturday, according to a news release. While searching the area, police found… Continue reading Police investigating Egmont Street gunshots
Driver cited after crashing into ballet school on Beacon Street
A pickup truck driver drove into the front window of the Brookline Ballet School on Thursday afternoon, with his vehicle landing partially inside the building. The 30-year-old driver told police he was trying to hit the brakes of his Toyota pickup truck, but hit the accelerator instead, causing him to strike the vehicle in front… Continue reading Driver cited after crashing into ballet school on Beacon Street
Confrontations and vitriol disrupted rallies outside Town Meeting ceasefire vote
Two opposing rallies outside Brookline High School during last week’s Town Meeting at times devolved into shouting matches, which included profane insults lobbed at supporters of a ceasefire resolution, and the use of a chant seen by many as antisemitic. The controversial Town Meeting article, which was ultimately tabled without a vote or debate by… Continue reading Confrontations and vitriol disrupted rallies outside Town Meeting ceasefire vote
Brookline man secretly gave woman pills which ended her pregnancy, DA alleges
A Brookline man was arrested last week after he allegedly misled a woman he was dating into taking medication to end a pregnancy. Robert Kawada, 43, was charged with poisoning, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a pregnant person and assault and battery on a household or family member, according to a news… Continue reading Brookline man secretly gave woman pills which ended her pregnancy, DA alleges
Two men, one armed with pistol, arrested while attempting to break into Chestnut Hill home, police say
Police arrested two men on Sunday after catching them in the act of allegedly trying to break into a home in Chestnut Hill. One of the men, Akram Boudhan, 22, of Saugus, was armed with a Glock pistol, police say. He is now facing six charges, including illegally possessing a large capacity firearm, trespassing, and… Continue reading Two men, one armed with pistol, arrested while attempting to break into Chestnut Hill home, police say
Body of Brookline man found in reservoir
Editor’s note: This story was updated with new information on June 4. The body of a 66-year-old Brookline man was found in the Brookline Reservoir on Monday, May 20, according to the Brookline Police Department. The man, later identified as Tim Byrne, was pulled from the water early that morning. First responders attempted CPR before… Continue reading Body of Brookline man found in reservoir
Police ID body found in car towed from Brookline as 32-year-old Roxbury man
Police have identified the man found dead in a car towed from the TJ Maxx in Brookline as 32-year-old Devonte McFall of Roxbury. McFall had been inside a vehicle parked at the department store at 525 Harvard Street since about 3:30 p.m. on May 8, according to Paul Campbell, a deputy superintendent with the Brookline… Continue reading Police ID body found in car towed from Brookline as 32-year-old Roxbury man
Rabbi whose Israel signs were repeatedly stolen says family was scared, calls for hate crime charges
Danielle Eskow, a rabbi who has lived in Brookline for 13 years, says repeated thefts and vandalism of signs supporting Israel at her family’s home left her and her children shaken. Eskow said that the incident, which Brookline.News reported on earlier this month after police charged a 24-year-old woman with the crimes, made her feel… Continue reading Rabbi whose Israel signs were repeatedly stolen says family was scared, calls for hate crime charges
Town plans to narrow lanes on Lee and Clyde Streets to slow traffic, protect bicyclists
The town plans to narrow all four lanes of Lee and Clyde Streets in South Brookline, aiming to slow down traffic and make the road safer for bicyclists. Drivers routinely travel 10 or more miles per hour above the 25-mph speed limit there, according to a Transportation Division memo. The new plan marks an effort… Continue reading Town plans to narrow lanes on Lee and Clyde Streets to slow traffic, protect bicyclists
Brookline woman faces charges for repeatedly stealing, vandalizing Israel signs
A Brookline woman has been charged with vandalism and six counts of larceny after police say she repeatedly stole and defaced signs in support of Israel outside a home near Coolidge Corner. Kendra Enos, 24, was issued a criminal summons on April 12, according to a police report filed in Brookline District Court. Police say… Continue reading Brookline woman faces charges for repeatedly stealing, vandalizing Israel signs
Brookline Police Department starts rolling out body cameras for officers
Brookline police are set to start wearing body cameras for the first time in the coming weeks. The department, which has purchased 140 Motorola cameras, will test the cameras with 10-15 officers before expanding their use to the rest of the force. “The use of body cameras is best practice in policing nationwide. I believe… Continue reading Brookline Police Department starts rolling out body cameras for officers
Brookline woman charged for vandalism at Longwood, Kenmore T stations
A Brookline woman who allegedly defaced signs at two MBTA stations with anti-Zionist messages was charged with vandalism on Sunday, according to a police report filed at Brookline District Court. Mindy Villaran, 29, who was a former contractor at the T, allegedly spray-painted station maps and walls at Longwood and Kenmore stations last Thursday, MBTA… Continue reading Brookline woman charged for vandalism at Longwood, Kenmore T stations
Woman murdered in Boston hotel had reported domestic violence to Brookline police a month earlier
A Brookline woman who was murdered in a Boston hotel in February had reported abuse by her boyfriend to Brookline police just a month before he killed her and himself, according to court records. Police issued a warrant for the boyfriend’s arrest and the woman obtained an emergency restraining order against him, but police were… Continue reading Woman murdered in Boston hotel had reported domestic violence to Brookline police a month earlier
Town plans to overhaul police hiring by leaving state civil service system
The town of Brookline and its police union have agreed on a new contract that, if finalized, would upend a century-old system for how the department hires officers by removing Brookline police from the state’s civil service system. Town and police department leaders say doing so will give them more flexibility to fill vacancies, which… Continue reading Town plans to overhaul police hiring by leaving state civil service system
Woman injured after being struck by police cruiser in Coolidge Corner
A 25-year-old woman was injured Tuesday evening after being struck by a Brookline police cruiser in Coolidge Corner. The officer driving the cruiser was responding to a call for a medical emergency just before 5:30 p.m., according to Paul Campbell, a deputy superintendent with the Brookline Police Department. The officer was driving southbound on Harvard… Continue reading Woman injured after being struck by police cruiser in Coolidge Corner
Latest ‘Zoombombing’ targets Brookline Commission for Women with antisemitic, racist comments
A trio of speakers “Zoombombed” the public comment period of an online Brookline Commission for Women meeting last week, making antisemitic, racist, and sexist comments. The Commission for Women is the latest town body to experience a disruption of this nature. The Police Commissioners Advisory Committee and the MLK Celebration Committee have also been Zoombombed… Continue reading Latest ‘Zoombombing’ targets Brookline Commission for Women with antisemitic, racist comments
Brookline police detective arrested in Florida after altercation with Disney World staff
A Brookline police detective was placed on paid administrative leave after being arrested during an altercation at Walt Disney World in Florida last month. Duane Danforth, a 14-year-veteran of the department who was named its “officer of the year” in 2021, was charged with battery and resisting arrest after he allegedly shoved two Epcot staff… Continue reading Brookline police detective arrested in Florida after altercation with Disney World staff
Eyes on the State House: Rep. Tommy Vitolo reflects on 2023 and his future
A few things were different for Rep. Tommy Vitolo in 2023, coming into his third term as state representative for the 15th Norfolk District, which covers most of Brookline. “I had more relationships with colleagues and more ability to be part of conversations and not simply be thankful to be in the room for them,”… Continue reading Eyes on the State House: Rep. Tommy Vitolo reflects on 2023 and his future
Police investigating vandalism of Israel yard signs
Brookline police are investigating the vandalism of at least seven yard signs supporting Israel on New Year’s Eve. Six signs were vandalized with markers at houses around Gardner Road, and another with a sticker depicting a Palestinian flag on Summit Avenue. Gardner Road resident Jonathan Abbett said that on Monday morning, he noticed that someone… Continue reading Police investigating vandalism of Israel yard signs