The Revere City Council voted Jan. 13 to request that representatives from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities appear before a committee of the whole to explain how the state vets people placed in emergency-assistance (EA) shelters and what steps will prevent repeat incidents after a Dec. 27 event at the Quality Inn.

Councilor Kelly introduced the motion and described the December incident, citing a police seizure that included a large quantity of fentanyl and an AR-15-style firearm. "This is a lapse in judgment, a clear failure of due diligence," Kelly said during debate, and she asked the council to seek a full explanation and assurances from state officials about vetting and safeguards. Kelly also noted public records the council received showing more than 1,000 serious incidents at state shelters between January 2023 and August 2024 and raised concerns that CORI and background checks were not consistently used.

Other councilors voiced similar concerns. Councilor Greeno Sawaya called recent arrests "urgent proof" that background checks should have been standard. Councilor Cogliandro urged the council to support the mayor and pursue lawful action together; Councilor Zambuto tied the discussion to broader concerns about the state’s right-to-shelter process and public safety.

Councilor Jaramillo recused himself from calendar items 20 and 22; the council then took a roll-call vote on the request for state officials. The roll call recorded unanimous support among voting members present; the motion passed. The council also placed a related motion (asking the mayor and police to work with hotel management to investigate occupied rooms) on file.

The motions ask that state representatives explain how individuals placed in EA shelters are vetted, what corrective steps the Commonwealth is taking after the identified failures, and how future housing initiatives will be monitored in Revere. The council asked the mayor and its state delegation to make the formal request and to bring state officials before the committee of the whole for a public discussion.