Eastie Holds ‘Walk for Peace’ to Address Violence

By John Lynds

With an uptick in shootings in and around Maverick Landing, the community again joined the Boston Police Department’s top brass to hold a ‘Walk for Peace:’ in the neighborhood Monday night. The walk also focused on the victims of the Orlando terrorist attack that killed 49 people in a gay nightclub early Sunday morning.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims in Orlando and the law enforcement officers that have to work through this tragedy,” said Chaplain Joe Logrippo. “We pray it is something that never happens in our city.”

Logrippo was followed by Rev. Kevin Scott of Most Holy Redeemer Church.

“I just want to thank everyone for being here,” said Rev. Scott. “This is an ongoing effort to walk for peace but it is especially important today as we grieve and try to understand what occurred in Florida and other acts of recent violence in our own city. These walks are a coming together and is one way we stay together and push against violence and push for peace.”

Rev. Scott said a handful of clergy from the church have been working with District 7 Captain Kelly McCormick to reach out to young people that have gotten in trouble in school.

“We have this ongoing effort and we visit the home and visit the family and talk about what happen and try to find ways to prevent it from happening again in the future,” said Rev. Scott. The walk began at the Most Holy Redeemer Church and headed through Maverick Landing, Maverick Square and down Meridian Street. As the walk progressed some residents joined in. From there police made their way to Central Square and stopped and chatted with citizens and business owners along the way.

“This is so important to the residents of Maverick Landing were, as you all know, there have been some incidents recently but to see the top brass of the police department coming out and taking this walk and being visible shows that we are here, we are listening, we care and we are doing everything we can to get our arms around these issues,” said Rep. Adrian Madaro.

Walk for Peace organizer Joe Logrippo said Commissioner William Evans implemented these walks a few years ago and they started in high crime areas like Roxbury and Dorchester as a community outreach in response to violent crimes.

“We have recently expanded them into East Boston and Charlestown as they are not impervious to similar types of crime,” said Logrippo. “It’s important for residents and leaders including clergy and spiritual leadership to stand together with the police department to unify our cause for peace and prosperity for every neighborhood in our city. Alone we can only accomplish so much, but together there is no limit.”

Logrippo added that spiritually speaking or not murder is not right and should be deemed unacceptable in any realm, especially involving gang related retribution and young teenagers that have not reached their full potential or even understand the full scope of their actions toward the community.

“The clear message is for peace and prosperity and hard working residents of our city and the children that live here deserve better than this,” he said. “The police can only do so much, its incumbent upon all of us to support a safe and prosperous city.”

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Boston Police Superintendent Frank Mancini (left) and Rep. Adrian Madaro (center) begin Monday night’s “Walk for Peace” in and around Maverick Landing and Maverick Square.

Inside,

Community members that joined the walk as it progressed listen to Chaplain Joe Logrippo after the Walk for Peace concluded.

Rep. Adrian Madaro addresses the crowd as Chaplain Joe Logrippo and District 7 Captain Kelly McCormick look on.

Chaplain Joe Logrippo (left), Boston Police Superintendent Frank Mancini (center) and Rep. Adrian Madaro (next to Mancini) stop to pose with Maverick Landing residents during the walk.

Clergy from Most Holy Redeemer Church have been reaching out to troubled and at risk youth. Here they talk with a young resident during the walk.

Boston Police Superintendent Frank Mancini and Rep. Adrian Madaro.

Residents from across Maverick joined into the Walk for Peace as it progressed.

Deacon Francis W. McHugh offers a prayer.

Rev. Kevin Scott speaks of the work his church has been doing to combat violence.

Chaplain Joe Logrippo (center) starts the walk and explains its purpose in the community.

Chaplain Joe Logrippo with Boston Police Officers during the walk.

Boston Police Superintendent Frank Mancini (left) and Rep. Adrian Madaro (center) begin Monday night's "Walk for Peace" in and around Maverick Landing and Maverick Square.

Boston Police Superintendent Frank Mancini (left) and Rep. Adrian Madaro (center) begin Monday night’s “Walk for Peace” in and around Maverick Landing and Maverick Square.

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