Boston, October 17, 2025
News Summary
State officials in Massachusetts have launched an initiative to combat illegal street takeovers, unveiling a new $14 million safety grant program aimed at supporting local police departments. Governor Maura Healey highlighted the state’s focus on enhancing traffic enforcement and preventing dangerous behaviors seen at recent events, including a significant takeover incident in Boston. The initiative aims to deter illegal street activities and bolster community safety through better funding and coordinated law enforcement efforts.
Boston — State officials announced an expanded crackdown on illegal street takeovers across Massachusetts and unveiled a new $14 million safety grant program to support local traffic enforcement and prevention efforts.
Top takeaways
Governor Maura Healey detailed efforts to prevent street takeovers in Massachusetts, focusing on citations, arrests, and traffic safety grants. Healey announced that the state will allocate $14 million in safety grants to over 200 local police departments and 10 state agencies to support traffic enforcement and prevent illegal activities. Law enforcement reported operation results that included 232 civil citations, 20 criminal summonses, and 7 arrests tied to coordinated enforcement efforts in eastern and southeastern Massachusetts.
Major incident and arrests
A major street takeover incident occurred on October 5, with over 100 people blocking traffic at Tremont Street and Mass. Ave. in Boston. During the incident, participants allegedly attacked police cruisers with fireworks, cones, and poles, resulting in one cruiser being torched. Two teenagers from Rhode Island, 18-year-old Julian Bowers and 19-year-old William Cantwell, were arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including assault and battery on a police officer. Bowers was released on $500 bail, and Cantwell on $1,000 bail after pleading not guilty.
Other local incidents
In the same weekend, Fall River police arrested five individuals aged 19 to 22 at another street takeover event. Similar incidents involving street takeovers have also been reported in Randolph and Middleboro.
Statewide enforcement results
Law enforcement issued 232 civil citations, 20 criminal summonses, and made 7 arrests during an operation targeting these events in eastern and southeastern Massachusetts. The police also towed 15 vehicles, seized two under the Controlled Substances Act, and recovered one stolen vehicle during the crackdown. No street takeovers occurred in Massachusetts during the prior weekend, suggesting that statewide operations are having a positive impact.
Leadership and strategy
Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble emphasized the importance of disrupting the cycle of street takeovers to prevent fatalities. Healey urged the public to report any social media posts about planned takeovers to assist authorities in prevention efforts. State and local departments continue to coordinate targeted operations, monitoring social media and working to deter events before they begin.
Funding and program details
The safety grants announced by the governor include allocations from various grant programs aimed at enhancing state traffic safety efforts. Funding will be distributed to over 200 local police departments and 10 state agencies to support overtime enforcement, traffic patrols, equipment, and activities designed to prevent illegal street takeover events and related public safety risks.
Political and public responses
President Trump commented on the Boston street takeover, suggesting the region could lose the 2026 World Cup matches scheduled at Gillette Stadium if safety concerns persist. Healey dismissed Trump’s comments as political theater and expressed confidence in local safety measures for the World Cup events. Republican challengers in the upcoming gubernatorial race criticized Healey’s handling of the street takeover incidents, asserting the events point to a trend of increasing lawlessness; state officials and law enforcement maintain that expanded enforcement and new grant funding are targeted responses to curb illegal activity and protect public safety.
What happens next
State police and local departments will continue coordinated patrols and social media monitoring. Authorities encourage community members to report planned takeover activity and any posts that appear to organize or promote such events. The state plans to begin distributing grant funds to eligible agencies and departments to bolster enforcement and prevention work in the coming weeks.
FAQ
What did the governor announce?
Governor Maura Healey detailed efforts to prevent street takeovers in Massachusetts, focusing on citations, arrests, and traffic safety grants.
What major incident prompted the response?
A major street takeover incident occurred on October 5, with over 100 people blocking traffic at Tremont Street and Mass. Ave. in Boston.
Were vehicles or officers harmed during the Boston incident?
During the incident, participants allegedly attacked police cruisers with fireworks, cones, and poles, resulting in one cruiser being torched.
Who was arrested in the Boston incident?
Two teenagers from Rhode Island, 18-year-old Julian Bowers and 19-year-old William Cantwell, were arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including assault and battery on a police officer.
What happened to those arrested in Boston?
Bowers was released on $500 bail, and Cantwell on $1,000 bail after pleading not guilty.
What were the enforcement totals from the recent operation?
Law enforcement issued 232 civil citations, 20 criminal summonses, and made 7 arrests during an operation targeting these events in eastern and southeastern Massachusetts.
What funding was announced?
Healey announced that the state will allocate $14 million in safety grants to over 200 local police departments and 10 state agencies to support traffic enforcement and prevent illegal activities.
Have there been fewer takeovers recently?
No street takeovers occurred in Massachusetts during the prior weekend, suggesting that statewide operations are having a positive impact.
How can the public help prevent street takeovers?
Healey urged the public to report any social media posts about planned takeovers to assist authorities in prevention efforts.
What else did police recover during the crackdown?
The police also towed 15 vehicles, seized two under the Controlled Substances Act, and recovered one stolen vehicle during the crackdown.
Were there other arrests in the region?
In the same weekend, Fall River police arrested five individuals aged 19 to 22 at another street takeover event.
Have similar events been reported elsewhere?
Similar incidents involving street takeovers have also been reported in Randolph and Middleboro.
What did state police leadership say?
Massachusetts State Police Colonel Geoffrey Noble emphasized the importance of disrupting the cycle of street takeovers to prevent fatalities.
Did national figures comment?
President Trump commented on the Boston street takeover, suggesting the region could lose the 2026 World Cup matches scheduled at Gillette Stadium if safety concerns persist.
How did the governor respond to national commentary?
Healey dismissed Trump’s comments as political theater and expressed confidence in local safety measures for the World Cup events.
Quick reference table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Major incident date | October 5 |
| Location of major incident | Tremont Street and Mass. Ave., Boston |
| Estimated participants (major incident) | Over 100 people |
| Arrests (Boston incident) | Julian Bowers (18), William Cantwell (19) |
| Bail amounts | Bowers: $500; Cantwell: $1,000 |
| Operation totals | 232 civil citations; 20 criminal summonses; 7 arrests |
| Vehicles towed / seized / recovered | 15 towed; 2 seized under Controlled Substances Act; 1 stolen vehicle recovered |
| Fall River arrests | Five individuals aged 19 to 22 |
| Other reported towns | Randolph and Middleboro |
| State grant funding | $14 million to over 200 local police departments and 10 state agencies |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- CBS News: Street Takeovers in Massachusetts
- Wikipedia: Traffic Safety
- Boston.com: Healey’s Zero Tolerance on Street Takeovers
- Google Search: Street Takeovers Massachusetts
- MassLive: Prevention of Street Takeovers
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Safety
- WCVB: Gov. Healey on Zero Tolerance for Street Takeovers
- Google News: Massachusetts Street Takeovers
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