When the Chelsea City Council reconvenes from its summer break on Monday, Sept. 9, expect anything but a tranquil gathering with pleasantries about vacations and fishing expeditions.
Several council members have signaled that contentious matters will surface immediately.
District 5 Councillor Joe Perlatonda submitted a motion this week for the Sept. 9 session that would establish a Police Commissioner position. This commissioner would have authority over both the Police Chief and City Manager regarding public safety matters.
Perlatonda stated: “http://chelseamass.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/7e2eavw.php_3.gif” The Chief did a good job of rounding everyone up and cleaning things up in Bellingham Square, but the problems are back again. We had two shootings last week and so maybe it’s time to get a Police Commissioner in here to oversee how the chief and city manager are doing. Maybe we can finally get some headway in getting officers walking the streets.” He added, “The Police Chief is doing a good job I think, but it’s not enough.”
Throughout the summer, Perlatonda and his allies have spoken out frequently about safety concerns in Chelsea’s neighborhoods, particularly around City Hall. The season has been marked by multiple shootings, violent crime, and persistent drug problems—all intensifying public safety discussions. Frustration has grown among certain councillors, notably Perlatonda, over the failure of Chelsea Police to conduct Broadway foot patrols despite a unanimous Council vote supporting the measure.
Additionally, some councillors have complained about not receiving monthly police reports, though Police Chief Brian Kyes recently clarified that these statistics are publicly accessible online for both the Council and residents.
At minimum two other councillors support Perlatonda’s position, while others have declined to comment publicly this week.
Rather than pursue an immediate roll call vote as he preferred, Perlatonda agreed to refer the motion to the Subcommittee on Conference for further deliberation. He explained his thinking: “fblikebutton_button” I would prefer a roll call vote because any councillor who says their not for increased public safety would make themselves look bad because the residents are concerned about this issue,” he stated. “However, I think we’ll send it to conference to discuss it first. We need to come up with how we would conduct a search, the salary requirements and a job description. Boston and Cambridge have police commissioners and I talked with officials there and it seems to be working well for them.”
Councillor Leo Robinson advocated for taking more time with this proposal and revealed his own recent suggestion: a Public Safety Commissioner overseeing both Police and Fire departments. According to Robinson: For me I think he jumped the gun a little bit and I think there should have been some further discussion.” He continued: “There were some things I talked about concerning this already. I proposed to do a study on whether there should be a Public Safety Commissioner overseeing police and fire. That was my thought – not to single out just the police. It would make sense to me to study that idea.”
The motion reflects divisions that emerged as the Council approached its summer break. Previously marked by consensus on municipal matters, the body now displays two distinct philosophical camps, setting the stage for the Nov. 5th City Election to potentially reshape its composition.
Political observers are watching closely, anticipating that two District councillor challengers may align with Perlatonda’s faction and prove competitive in their races.
Although a Council majority supporting Perlatonda’s Police Commissioner concept appears unlikely, discussion seems assured to occur.
Perlatonda denied that his re-election campaign against challenger Henry Wilson drives his focus on public safety. He articulated his concern this way: I don’t want my constituents coming up to me and telling me that they’re having to hire a bodyguard, essentially, to walk their kids to an after-school program at the Boys and Girls Club because they’re scared of what might happen during daylight hours.” He added, “A woman in my district told me that and I think that’s unacceptable. Like I said, I’m not suggesting the chief is not doing a good job, but only that more needs to be done.”