Protecting our neighborhoods
Michael Flaherty is concerned about ever increasing gang and gun violence in our city. Michael himself narrowly escaped injury in 2005 when random gunfire shattered his car window one night on Dorchester Ave. Michael took action; targeting the latest 50 caliber “hand cannons” popular with the deadly criminals who want to control our streets.

Michael also established “Imette’s Law” regulating bar and nightclub bouncers. It ensures that bouncers are protecting the public instead of the public needing to be protected from the person working the door.

Michael fought to increase the age restriction for new police recruits. Boston’s artificially low limit of 32 years was preventing the city putting more cops on the street where they are needed. By increasing the age to 40, Boston can attract the qualified police recruits we must have.

And Michael wants to replicate the most successful crime watch program in the city in every neighborhood of Boston. Using the surplus funds from this year’s snow removal budget, Chinatown’s crime watch model can be copied and equipped citywide.

Educating Our Children
With three children in the Boston public schools, Michael shares the concerns of parents who demand the best education for their kids. When the appointed school committee fumbled the search for a new superintendent, he demanded new leadership and an open search process.

School department accountability is a critical issue, one that Michael is committed to addressing throughout this year’s budget process.