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Committee reviews Boston Police grants for harbor patrol boat, domestic‑violence advocate and road‑safety projects
Summary
At a committee hearing April 13, the Boston Police Department outlined several grants: a $577,500 port‑security award (with $192,500 match) to replace a harbor patrol boat and fund ice‑rescue training, a $150,327.96 grant funding one full‑time domestic‑violence advocate plus overtime, and smaller road‑safety and ADA barrier grants. Councilors asked about coverage and service equity.
The Boston Police Department presented multiple grant packages to the City Council Committee on Public Safety and Criminal Justice on April 13, asking the committee to move three items to the council floor for acceptance.
Deputy Martin described a Port Security Grant award of $577,500, with a required city match of $192,500, that would replace an aging 27‑foot harbor boat with a new 31‑foot craft, replace engines on two other boats and fund ice‑rescue training and equipment for the Harbor Unit. “The funds will be utilized to purchase a 31ft life proof boat,” Deputy Martin said, adding that engine replacements and training would extend operational life and save maintenance costs.
Lieutenant Detective Nicola Point outlined a grant that totals $150,327.96 with a $50,109.32 match to fund one full‑time domestic‑violence (DV) advocate and overtime for the unit; BPD currently counts six DV advocates and uses overtime to provide services across districts. “We currently have six DV advocates…one of them is covered by this grant,” Nicola Point said, and added that advocates help survivors access language services and community resources.
Deputy Martin also reviewed smaller awards: a municipal road‑safety grant of about $50,000 for month‑by‑month targeted enforcement (impaired driving, pedestrian safety, distracted driving) and a separate $50,000 state grant to buy ADA‑compliant removable event barriers to improve safety and reduce staffing needs at downtown events.
Councilors asked for more information about neighborhood coverage for DV advocates; BPD acknowledged gaps in placement (districts without dedicated advocates include A1/downtown, C6/South Boston, A7/East Boston, and others) and said advocates can meet survivors citywide and that the department convenes partner providers through a quarterly domestic‑violence network. On the harbor grant, councilors asked about mutual aid and interagency cooperation; BPD said it works daily with the Coast Guard, state police, MassPort and neighboring cities for patrols, dive operations and search‑and‑rescue.
None of the grants were voted on during the committee hearing; they were presented for committee review and are scheduled for council floor consideration. The port security and C‑UAS grants were identified on the docket for upcoming floor votes.
Provenance: Coverage is drawn from committee testimony and Q&A at the April 13, 2026 hearing (port security discussion began at SEG 530; domestic violence presentation began at SEG 767; road safety and ADA barriers at SEG 469).
Ending: Committee members thanked the police presenters and indicated follow‑up requests for implementation plans and more granular neighborhood data on DV services before the floor vote.
