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Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey addressed the sudden rise of wild, illegal car meetups and racing known as “street takeovers” Wednesday, pledging to “end this trend” in the state.
“I’m committed to doing everything I can to get after this issue,” Healey said. “That’s my message today: No more.”
Three days ago, a crowd of more than 100 people attacked a Boston Police cruiser in the South End, setting it on fire. Two young men from Rhode Island were arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Fall River police said they arrested five people, ages 19 to 22, after a group blocked roads and did donuts with their cars during a street takeover Sunday morning.
There have also been similar incidents recently in Randolph and Middleboro.
“Whether you’re in Massachusetts or you think about coming to Massachusetts, you are not welcome to engage in that conduct at any time in any place, anywhere in this state,” Healey said.
The governor said she’s directed Massachusetts State Police to work with local police departments to identify, apprehend and punish offenders. She also asked the public to call 911 if they see something online about plans for a street takeover.
“Not going to happen here,” Healey said. “And if you do it, you’re going to be punished. I’m serious.”
One of Healey’s Republican challengers in the governor’s race has criticized her response to the street takeovers.
“The truth is, incidents like we saw in the South End the other night are becoming more and more common. And they are becoming more and more common because the bad guys know there are no consequences,” Republican Brian Shortsleeve told WBZ-TV Tuesday.
In a statement, Healey, a Democrat, said her administration will hold those responsible “accountable.”
“Anyone who targets police and destroys police property, or who comes to Massachusetts and engages in dangerous and destructive conduct like last weekend’s drag racing and out of control attack, should be punished to the fullest extent of the law,” the governor said Tuesday.
The president of Boston’s police union blamed a “lack of prosecution” for the recent violence against officers.
Mike Toole is the managing editor for CBS Boston. He has worked in the WBZ-TV newsroom for more than 20 years. He previously wrote and produced news and sports at WABC-TV in New York.
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©2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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