Page 12 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022 DA Hayden launches Firearms Rapid Indictment Program S uff olk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden recently announced a Firearms Rapid Indictment Program to expedite crimes involving fi rearms to Superior Court to expose serious offenders to stiffer sentences and potentially higher bails. In late February, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Offi ce convened a special grand jury in addition to the regular sitting grand jury that will dedicate a signifi cant portion of its time each week to hearing only cases involving fi rearm off enses and nonfatal shootings. The second grand jury provides the Offi ce the ability to focus on gun cases in addition to the other felony cases backlogged due to COVID-19 restrictions on grand jury activity. In addition to convening the second grand jury, the Offi ce has designated two Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) assigned to the Gang Unit who will focus on preparing and presenting gun cases for indictment. These ADAs have secured specifi ed weekly times to present gun cases for indictment. “This week has so far provided a tragic example of the unacceptably high volume of guns on our streets. On Monday police arrested a man bringing in 11 high-capacity guns to sell,” Hayden said. “The next day we had a terrible shooting in front of a school while kids are loading onto a bus. This community terror has to stop, and our offi ce is doing everything it can to target individuals who are responsible for it. I’m confi dent that the extra human resources we are dedicating through this rapid indictment program will be a positive step in addressing this distressing issue.” Since initiating the program last month, the Offi ce has secured indictments on 30 gun cases. In addition to potentially ~ GUEST COMMENTARY ~ Human Rights Commissions are the “in” thing at the moment By Sal Giarratani and then divide us even more. Is anyone surprised when ReS eems like every municipality in the Commonwealth has found a need to create entities referred to as “human rights” or “inclusionary” commissions. How did we ever do without them all these years? Most of the time, these committees or commissions seemingly search to fi nd something bad, racist or mean to bemoan within their communities. I guess in a “woke” society, we must identify everything possible that divides us vere’s Human Rights Commission had to gavel its meeting to an end because the heat got too hot? Why is it that when conservatives oppose a position being discussed, they are instantly called “far-right” and the meeting identifi ed as “tumultuous.” Too bad we have so little patience for civil discourse. No one seems to want to hear anything opposing their own narratives. Any countering opinion and down goes the gavel, bang! I am an opponent of critical race theory and creating, not an open society, but a society divided by the oppressed and the oppressors. Instant Division is the New America. I can see why many Revere folks might be upset to see a “Black Lives Matter” banner as you enter Revere High School. Every single Revere High School student has a right to be respected and valued for who they are. I would rather see a banner at the high school whose message is unifying such as “All Revere High School Students Matter.” In many ways, the discussions that have come from commission members themselves often are nothing more than political talking points with a touch of blue smoke and mirrors. The Revere of today is not the Revere of yesterday. It has become a melting pot of many cultures from all over the world. Many people have come to understand the diversity in Revere today. Folks move to Revere because it is a great community to live in. It is a good place to be from. We need to be less preoccupied with race and more occupied in living together and understanding how much more human beings have in common with each other. I am not calling for abolishing this Commission but getting it back on point. Also, we need to be more open to actually hearing each other before ruling meetings out of order. There is a place for listening to each other and a place to advocate for your beliefs, too. We need to fi nd such balance again. Civil Discourse Matters, too. enhancing bail and conditions of release and exposing serious off enders to more lengthy Superior Court sentences, the Firearms Rapid Indictment Program is helping move cases through the system more effi ciently. This process will help ensure that defendants have their day in court more quickly and address liberty issues as well as issues concerning the pretrial release of individuals as a result of COVID-19-related court and jail backlogs.
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