The Boston Housing Authority Police Department has returned to strength, developing key partnerships with public housing communities and making key arrests this summer.
In the past several years, the BHA Police Department has expanded the department in every rank, from interns, to officers and Deputy Chief. In 2021 the department was able to meet the high standard of being recognized as a police agency. With new staff on hand, the department has gotten to work.
Arrests and enforcement actions are up. In June, BHA police made a critical drug trafficking arrest and seized more than $15,000 worth of drugs at Alice H. Taylor Apartments. In July and August, they made several arrests and seized four illegal firearms at Mary Ellen McCormack. Earlier this month, they participated in a key drug distribution arrest at the Mildred C. Hailey Apartments. Chief of BHA police Shu Benford said.
The Boston Housing Authority Police Department plays a vital role in public housing communities, bridging relationships between public housing residents and the Boston Police department, and using local knowledge and expertise to help BPD more effectively police Boston’s public housing communities.
“One vital objective of the BHA police department is to earn the trust of our residents and to build relationships and partnerships that can make BHA communities safer,” Chief of BHA police, Shu Benford says “I am proud of the work and dedication of all the officers and staff, and proud of the relationships we’ve built with our residents, law enforcement, and community stake holders.”
BHA Police were proud to participate in National Night Out events in several of BHA communities this summer, in partnership with the BPD, the City of Boston and residents. They also engaged in proactive patrols and joined in Unity Day events and flashlight walks across the BHA.
These activities are critical to establishing trust and building partnerships for a safer BHA.
“We remain committed to 21st century policing, and creative solutions and alternatives to crime dysfunction, and problem solving. We are committed to arrests being the least desirable option,” Chief Benford said.
We thank BHAPD officers for their tremendous work this summer and for their relentless commitment to BHA’s communities.