Two East Boston residents were among 22 arrested during a citywide sweep by the Boston Police Department (BPD) aimed at reducing violence on the streets of Boston.
Jamal Lawrence, 22, of East Boston was arrested for warrants for Assault and Battery and Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon while Benito A. Matos, 39, of East Boston was arrested on new charges of Distribution of Class A Drugs and Distribution of Class A Drugs in a School Zone.
The sweep and subsequent arrests in Eastie are part of the BPD’s ongoing violence reduction efforts. With members of the Youth Violence Strike Force and the Drug Control Unit the BPD initiated the citywide proactive warrant sweeps dubbed “Operation Summer Sweep” and “Operation Bad Rap” last week. Both operations are ongoing and additional arrests are anticipated said a BPD spokesman.
The BPD said this targeted effort concentrates on individuals believed to be involved in drug trafficking/distribution, violent activity and otherwise acting with no regard for judicial process by failing to appear in court.
In addition, the individuals in Eastie and elsewhere in the city were targeted as part of an ongoing efforts to remove individuals from the street that are impacting quality of life for the community.
“The Boston Police Department will continue to be out in full force taking the necessary steps to protect our residents,” said Mayor Thomas Menino. “They will continue to target individuals who perform these senseless acts of violence.”
Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis said Boston Police are dedicated to ensuring the safety of residents and remain steadfast in its proactive approach to target known offenders.
“The consistent execution of these focused enforcement efforts will continue to have an impact on advancing public safety,” said Davis. “I commend the collaboration of the Youth Violence Strike Force and the Drug Control Unit.”
At this time, twenty-two individuals have been arrested with charges ranging from Assault and Battery to Trafficking Class B (crack cocaine/cocaine) and A (heroine). The arrested individuals will appear at different district courts throughout the city to answer to their charges.