Boston, August 20, 2025
News Summary
In Boston, city councilors have demanded an independent investigation following a significant radio communication failure within the police department during a night of violent incidents, including a stabbing and four shootings in Dorchester. The primary radio channel reportedly failed for approximately 30 minutes, leading officers to operate without their main communication link. While the police department stated that backup channels were utilized, councilors insist on transparency and urgent improvements to prevent future disruptions.
Boston — City councilors have asked for an independent investigation after a reported breakdown of the Boston Police Department’s primary radio channel during a night that included a stabbing and four separate shootings in Dorchester. The councilors said the channel failed for about 30 minutes, forcing officers to operate without the department’s main communication link during multiple violent incidents.
Top details
City councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy formally requested a detailed, public investigation into the reported radio malfunction and its impact on police response. The councilors reported that officers were forced to respond to shootings without reliable access to the primary radio channel. The Boston Police Department maintained that the radio system remained operational overall but acknowledged that one channel was impacted.
Department officials said officers quickly switched to other available channels and that communication was effectively maintained through backup channels. Superintendent-in-Chief Phillip Owens characterized the disruption as very short, and the department reported that once the issue was resolved, officers resumed using the main channel. No precise timing for the malfunction was provided by the police department.
What happened during the incident night
The communication problem coincided with a series of violent incidents around midnight early Monday, including a reported stabbing and four separate shootings in the Dorchester area. Four victims of the shootings sustained non-life-threatening injuries. As of the department’s latest statements, no charges have been announced related to the incidents.
The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association publicly criticized the Communications Division, calling the radio malfunction an inexplicable failure and urging clarity on the cause and duration of the problem. Councilors Flynn and Murphy emphasized the need for police officers to have reliable tools and resources and called for urgent improvements if gaps are identified.
Department response and system changes
The Boston Police Department confirmed adoption of a new digital encrypted radio system on August 9. This transition made traditional analog transmissions unavailable and changed how certain channels function. Officials said the department has multiple channels available for emergency communication and that backup channels were used during the apparent malfunction.
Chief of internal and external communications Mariellen Burns indicated the overall radio system remained operational despite the impact to one channel. Mayor Michelle Wu was briefed on the incident and on the department’s communication capabilities and backup arrangements.
Calls for investigation and transparency
Councilors requested that the investigation be independent, public, and detailed enough to clarify the duration and root cause of the channel disruption. They also asked that findings be disclosed to the public to ensure lessons are learned and systems improved where necessary. An independent probe was specifically sought by Councilor Flynn to determine how long the breakdown lasted and why it occurred.
Context and prior concerns
The breakdown occurred hours after the Dominican Festival in Boston concluded. Festival organizers had worked with city departments on safety planning, and the festival coordinator for Casa de la Cultura Dominicana in Boston reported no issues during this year’s event and that attendees left peacefully. The city has faced previous incident clusters tied to festival-related events, including multiple shootings at or near a past Dominican Festival the previous year, which raised earlier concerns about public safety at large gatherings.
The timing of the radio issue alongside violent incidents has intensified scrutiny from elected officials and the police union. Investigators and city officials are expected to focus on whether the new digital radio system, backup procedures, human factors, or equipment failures contributed to the disruption, and whether response times or coordination were affected.
What happens next
City councilors expect an independent review and public disclosure of results. The police department has said backup channels preserved operational communications during the event, while union leaders and council members continue to press for answers. Officials have not released a full timeline of the channel’s outage, and further details are expected as the requested investigation proceeds.
FAQ
What exactly failed during the incident?
One primary radio channel used by the Boston Police Department was reported to be impacted. The department said the overall radio system remained operational and that officers switched to backup channels, but councilors reported a roughly 30-minute interruption on the primary channel.
Were officers able to communicate during the incidents?
Officials stated that officers immediately shifted to other functional channels and that communication was maintained through backups. Councilors, however, raised concerns that the primary-channel issue still disrupted reliable communication during a critical period.
How many people were hurt in the shootings?
Four victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the separate shootings that occurred the same night as the reported radio issue. No charges have been announced related to those incidents so far.
Is there going to be an investigation?
City councilors have requested an independent investigation into the duration and cause of the radio channel disruption and have asked for public disclosure of the findings. The police department has acknowledged the issue and briefed city leadership.
Did the new radio system cause the problem?
The department recently adopted a new digital encrypted radio system on August 9 that changed how analog transmissions worked. Officials have not confirmed whether the new system caused the channel impact; that is one area cited for review in the requested investigation.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| City | Boston |
| Reported radio outage | Primary channel impacted; councilors reported approximately 30 minutes |
| Incidents that night | One stabbing and four separate shootings in Dorchester around midnight |
| Injuries | Four victims with non-life-threatening injuries |
| System change | New digital encrypted radio system adopted on August 9; analog transmissions unavailable |
| Who requested investigation | City councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy; independent review requested |
| Police response | Officers reportedly switched to backup channels; department said communication was maintained |
| Union reaction | Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association criticized the Communications Division |
| Festival context | Dominican Festival held hours earlier; organizers reported no issues and attendees left peacefully |
| Public disclosure | Councilors requested that investigation findings be made public |
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Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
