Let’s Go New England Patriots!! Beat the ‘Hawks!! Vol. 36, No.5 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net oca Free Every Friday City Council approves 5-year contracts for police body cameras, Tasers By Barbara Taormina T he City Council approved fi ve-year contracts with Axon Enterprises for body cameras for police offi cers and for new high-tech, less lethal Tasers at the Regular Meeting on January 29, 2026. “We’ve talked about body cameras for a long time, and we are ready to implement this new technology,” Police Chief Maria LaVita told city councillors. According to LaVita, the cameras will allow offi cers to document crime scenes and capture witness statements and spontaneous utterances. They will also provide real-time translations for 50 diff erent languages. “The cameras will increase public trust and transparency,” said LaVita. “Videos will hold offi cers accountable for any misconduct.” Councillor-at-Large Marc Silvestri called the body cameras “long overdue” and added that in addition to any incidents of misconduct, “the cameras will make sure offi cers aren’t falsely accused. I rarely hear bad things about police on the street, about excessive force or things like that.” LaVita agreed and said body cameras have been shown to reduce frivolous complaints against police. “Body cameras build trust between offi cers and the community,” said Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya, who agreed the cameras would promote accountability. Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro said he is excited about bringing in the cameras. “I think some of those videos will show how policing is supposed to be done,” said Cogliandro, adding, “I have seen amazing things from the police department.” He also asked about the funding for the cameras. LaVita said the department is waiting for a decision on their application for a $250,000 grant for the fi veyear contract. The council also approved a fi ve-year contract with the same company, Axon Enterprises, for less lethal control devices, the Taser 10. The police department is already in year four of a fi veyear contract for Taser 7, a less effi cient and eff ective control device. LaVita said the hope is to renegotiate the contract and start with Taser 10. LaVita explained the benefi ts to councillors, highlighting the Taser’s effect in de-escalating situations. Silvestri asked if every offi cer had a Taser. LaVita explained that Tasers are limited to certain offi cers. Police Lieutenant Joseph Turner, who came with LaVita to the council meeting, said that being equipped with a Taser is a voluntary choice of an offi cer. It requires a lot of extra work and training, and candidates must be patrol offi cers. Turner suggested that the investment of time and training offi cers put into Taser use is a safeguard that the devices will be used correctly to de-escalate situations. “The No. 1 thing is they can de-escalate situations and save the lives of residents,” said Councillor Guarino-Sawaya. The council voted unanimously in favor of both fi ve-year contracts. Massachusetts House Passes Bill to Require Apprenticeships in Public Construction Bill seeks to increase the trades’ workforce in Massachusetts B OSTON — The Massachusetts House of Representatives last week passed legislation that seeks to increase the state’s trades’ workforce by requiring the hiring of apprentices for all contracts awarded for public works projects over $10 million. Effective a year after signed into law, this bill would require projects to hire apprentices to work 5 percent of the total amount of hours worked, which would scale up to 10 percent in three years and 15 percent in four years. “Investing in the trades’ workforce will bolster workforce development, ensuring that the Commonwealth is able to meet the growing demands for new infrastructure projects. Apprenticeships can also lead to the creation of more union jobs and help to replace highly skilled workers who are aging out of the workforce,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Chair McMurtry and Chair Decker for their work on this legislation, as well as all my colleagues in the House for recognizing its importance.” “This important legislation strengthens our apprenticeship system and ensures public construction projects create sustainable jobs and foster real career pathways,” said Representative Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), House Chair of the Labor & Workforce Development Committee. “This bill represents a meaningful investment in skilled labor, fair wages, and the future of the trades in the Commonwealth.” “At a time when the federal government is dismantling worker protections and MASS HOUSE | SEE Page 3 781-286-8500 Friday, February 6, 2026 Revere Beach Partnership Hosts the 3rd EVERE BEACH — To celebrate the winter season at America’s First Public Beach, the Revere Beach Partnership will host its annual Winter Wonderland event on Saturday, February 7th, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM at WaterAnnual Winter Wonderland Saturday R WINTER WONDERLAND | SEE Page 5 front Square on Revere Beach. This family-friendly winter festival will take Revere Beach coast into a season
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