星期三, 9月 09, 2015

新學年開課首日 波市長、校監迎接師生返校 期許攜手改善教育

開學了。波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh),波市首名華裔公校總監張欽棠(Thomas Chang)等人,昨(8)日一大清早,趕到學校,歡迎學生,老師,藉以強調市政府和學校,老師,學生,家長,站在同一陣線,將攜手改善波士頓市的教育品質與成果。
張欽棠表示,巡迴各學校,歡迎師生回來上課,是波市府和學校部門推動“我們的文化(Culture of We)“的行動之一,希望藉此讓各個學校,以及老師,家長,學生們感到受關心,開始更融洽的攜手改善教育。
麥迪遜公園科技職業高中(Madison Park Technical Vocational High School)校長去年9月辭職,今年4月才有新校長Kevin McCaskill獲指派上任,因此被選做“歡迎之旅”第一站。
張欽棠昨日還陸續拜訪了Hernandez雙語學校,BTU試驗學校,Mattahunt小學,Channing小學,Manning 小學等學校。
馬丁華殊表示,他和張欽棠,以及波市警察局,消防局等部會首長,都將在新學年開始之際,拜訪學校,讓學校師生感覺到大家的關心,以及波市府要改善所有學校的心意。
當被問及昆士高中新校舍何時有眉目時,馬丁華殊很快地回答道,以後會談及所有的學校問題。
陳翟蘇妮表示,她知道昆士高中校舍問題延宕多年,也聽過馬丁華殊曾說第一個要處理的校舍,會是昆士高中,不過她的轄區如今已不包括波士頓華埠,華埠民眾若關心此事,可以促請轄區包括波士頓華埠的安東尼比楚塞里(Anthony W. Petruccelli)
            根據官網,波市公校正在為校舍樓宇的十年總體計畫招標,挑選委員會今年二月已和進入最後挑選過程的商戶面談。
馬丁華殊昨日和張欽棠,以及波市學校委員會主席麥可歐尼爾(Michael O’Neill),波士頓教師工會會長史督文(Richard Stutman),以及波市教育長達西(Rahn Dorsey)等人,一早抵達麥迪遜公園科技職業高中,親切的歡迎學生,還送上一支鉛筆。
麻州參議員陳翟蘇妮(Sonia Chang Diaz),波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu),普莉斯萊(Ayanna Pressley),昨日也趕到現場,加入歡迎學生行列。
波市公校系統通訊主任李察衛爾(Richard Weir)表示,截至上週為止,大約有59,400名學生登記入讀波市公校,其中52,214人為112年級學生,7,183人為週四註冊入讀的幼稚園學生。
由於不是每個登記了的人都來上學,波市公校估計,這星期大約只會有55,000人上學,實際數目將在本週結束時大抵確定。

圖片說明:

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)和波市公校總監張欽棠(Thomas Chang),波市學校委員會主席市學校委員會主席麥可歐尼爾(Michael O’Neill)等人,一大早聯袂抵達麥迪遜公園科技高中,在新學年第一天歡迎學生到校上課。(菊子攝)

            波士頓市議員吳弭(Michelle Wu)(前)也到學校門前,聊盡心意。(菊子攝)

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊(中左)和學生們攀談,送上鉛筆。(菊子攝)

            右起,陳翟蘇妮,馬丁華殊,達西(Rahn Dorsey),以及麥可歐尼爾(Michael O’Neill)等人,在麥迪遜高中前歡迎學生。(菊子攝)


            今年都要競選蓮人的波士頓市不分區市議員吳弭(左),普莉斯萊(Ayanna Pressley)在麥迪遜高中前相見歡。(菊子攝)

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Superintendent Tommy Chang Welcome BPS Students, Families Back to School


BOSTON, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 — Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Superintendent Tommy Chang launched a new era in Boston Public Schools today marking the “Culture of We” during a tour of four BPS schools as principals and headmasters opened their doors to new and returning students.

The new district initiative, introduced as part of Dr. Chang’s 100-Day Plan, aims to create enhanced communication and collaboration between educators, administrators, families and all other partners within the BPS community and city.

“This is a great time for Boston — the birthplace of public education — where there is a great deal of momentum pushing us forward, reshaping Boston Public Schools into a world class system," Mayor Walsh said. "As we kick off the start of a new school year, Superintendent Chang has committed himself to improving the educational experience of Boston's youngest residents. I extend my gratitude to our dedicated and passionate parents and guardians, mentors and educators, as well as administrative personnel — they are the cornerstone of our community. I look forward to a smooth, productive and enriching school year, as we continue our work in building up our City one student at a time.” 

“I want to welcome all of our students back to school. We value each and every one of you. I also want to thank our teachers, school leaders and Central Office staff for their dedication in getting all of our schools ready to open," said Dr. Chang, who took over as superintendent on July 1 following a three-month Listen and Learn Tour. "Although we are experiencing unseasonably hot weather, today was a very successful start of the new school year. We must now roll up our sleeves and begin the hard work of transforming Boston Public Schools into a district where all students can and must achieve. No one person can do this work alone. That is why we are building a ‘Culture of We’ within BPS. We will partner together to ensure that all of our students are prepared for college and career."

Boston School Committee Chairman Michael O’Neill, Boston Teachers Union Richard Stutman and City of Boston Chief of Education Rahn Dorsey joined Mayor Walsh and Superintendent Chang this morning as they visited Madison Park Vocational and Technical High School, as well as the Hernandez Dual Language K-8 School, BTU Pilot K1-8 School and Mattahunt Elementary School. They welcomed students, greeted parents, visited classrooms and spoke to teachers about their concerns and visions. 

More than 400 City of Boston and BPS employees were also on hand at each of the 126 BPS schools to welcome families and students, hand out new pencils and help make the opening day run a little smoother. 

The superintendent wrapped up the day by visiting an additional two schools: the Channing Elementary K1-5 School in Hyde Park and the Manning Elementary K1-5 School in Jamaica Plain. The visits are part of Dr. Chang's tour of dozens of schools throughout Boston this month. 

Dr. Chang and his transition team, as part of his Listen and Learn Tour last spring, visited more than 30 schools across the city and met with over 1,500 community members. That collaborative process led to the development of the BPS 100-Day Plan that was released in July.


The plan charts a course to, among other things, ensure all students have access to a high-quality school of their choice close to home; lay the groundwork to develop a “Culture of We” within BPS where all students, staff, families and the community are united in a single mission to close the achievement gap; and to expand the rigorous academics of the Advanced Work Class program to all 4th-6th grade students.

總統創新獎受理報名

「總統創新獎」(以下簡稱本獎項)每二年舉辦一次,為我國鼓勵多元創新最高榮譽獎項,本(104)年度邁入第二屆徵選,本獎項分為科技研發、文創加值、服務創新、人才培育四個項別,總獎額共計5名,含團體組2名及個人組3名,另為鼓勵青年綻放創新創業能量,特別保留1個名額給予40歲以下青年,所有獲獎者將於明(105)年由 總統親自頒授獎牌、獎座及獲選證書,並頒發獎金新臺幣二佰萬元。第二屆「總統創新獎」徵選報名受理至104年10月30日止。

有關資料請參考

Baker-Polito Administration Receives $2.9 million Federal Grant to Grow Apprenticeship Programs in Massachusetts

麻州州長勞工及人力發展辦公室昨(9)日宣佈,聯邦政府撥給麻州290萬元,在高成長工業界,擴大實習機會。
            美國勞工部的這“美國學徒補助款(American Apprenticeship Grant)”,將可讓麻州幫助300人在諸如醫療護理,科技,先進製造等快速成長行業獲得實習、培訓機會。
            該筆經費將支持麻州學徒計畫(Massachusetts Apprenticeship Initiative, 簡稱MAI) ,增加前述行業的實習,或實習前機會。在2015年內,麻州有7,500人登記參加實習。
            麻州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)表示,在麻州許多雇主掙扎著要找到具有技能的工作者來填補空缺時,這筆補助款可讓更多麻州人在急需人手的業界,獲得工作機會。
            美國勞工部共發出175000萬元給全美46州,擴辦各州的學徒實習計畫。
            查理貝克上任州長後,設立了人力技能局(Workforce Skills Cabinet),由勞工及人力發展卿Ronald Walker二世統領。該組織成員還包括麻州教育卿James Peyser,住宅及經濟發展卿艾許(Jay Ash.)。

圖片說明:

            麻州州長查理貝克夫婦7日到機場迎接奧巴馬總統。(圖由州長辦公室提供)

Baker-Polito Administration Receives $2.9 million Federal Grant to Grow Apprenticeship Programs in Massachusetts

BOSTON, MA, SEPTEMBER 9, 2015…The Baker-Polito Administration announced today that the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development was awarded a $2.9 million federal grant to expand apprenticeship opportunities in high-growth industries in Massachusetts.

The American Apprenticeship Grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor, will enable the state to help 300 residents gain apprenticeship training in industries with a growing demand for new employees, such as healthcare, technology and advanced manufacturing.

The funds will support the Massachusetts Apprenticeship Initiative (MAI) to increase the number of apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship opportunities in those industries. There are more than 7,500 registered apprentices in the state in 2015.

“As many employers in Massachusetts struggle to find the skilled labor to fill available jobs, this grant will enable training for individuals in high-demand industries and provide more job opportunities for the people of the Commonwealth,” Governor Charlie Baker said.

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $175 million in American Apprenticeship Grants to 46 awardees across the nation to expand apprenticeships in high-growth industries. The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will use the grant to build upon apprenticeship opportunities and address the skills gap for underserved residents.  

“Our team worked incredibly hard to be awarded one of these highly competitive grants. These funds will help us in our mission to meet employers’ demands for highly-skilled workers so they can continue to grow their businesses. Businesses cannot grow if they cannot find enough skilled workers,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker, II, who chairs the Workforce Skills Cabinet.

Created by the Governor through an executive order, the Workforce Skills Cabinet’s goal is to align education, economic and workforce development programs and policies to increase opportunities for training and employment for residents while helping businesses meet their growth needs. The Cabinet consists of Secretary Walker, Education Secretary James Peyser and Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash.

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS SMOKELESS TOBACCO ORDINANCE


波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)昨(9)日簽署法令,在包括芬衛(Fenway)球場等的棒球場,禁止使用無煙菸草,或其他菸草品。
2016年4月1日起,違反該法令者,罰款250元。
該一法令也禁止在職業,大學,高中的各種棒球,壘球,足球,籃球,曲棍冰球,田徑等球賽,業餘體育活動,或由一個聯盟,協會舉辦的體育比賽場地中,使用無煙菸草,或任何其他菸草品。
            九月是兒童癌症關注月。全國癌症協會表示咀嚼或吸聞的菸草,含有28腫致癌物,美國毒理學項目(U.S. National  Toxicology Program)已認定無煙菸草是“已知的致癌物”。
            從1999年以來,美國的吸菸人口下降了,年輕人中的無煙菸草使用率卻持平。疾病控制局(CDC)發現,在2013年,全美有14.7%的高中男生,8.8%的所有高中生使用無煙菸草,每年大約有535,000名12到17的青少年,第一次使用無煙菸草。
            “無煙菸草“指的是含有切割,研磨成粉狀或數液狀的菸草,適用於口腔或鼻腔的品。
            哈佛大學陳曾熙公衛學院教授高京柱(Howard Koh)表示,感謝波士頓市長馬丁華殊及波士頓市議會為美國奠定一個歷史性範例。
            高京柱曾任美國衛生部助理卿,是波士頓市長幕僚長高丹尼的父親。今(10)日將應邀為麻州亞美局(AAC)的健康會議做主講人。
            詢該法詳情,可上 http://ow.ly/RWpTg

圖片明:

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊(前)宣佈簽署禁用無煙菸草令。哈佛教授高京柱(左三)應邀觀禮。(圖由波士頓市府提供,Isabel Leon攝)

波士頓市長馬丁華殊(前)簽署禁用無煙菸草令。(圖由波士頓市府提供,Isabel Leon攝)

MAYOR WALSH SIGNS SMOKELESS TOBACCO ORDINANCE

BOSTON - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today signed an ordinance to prohibit the use of smokeless tobacco and other tobacco products at baseball parks, including Fenway Park. The ordinance also bans smokeless tobacco or any other tobacco product at event sites for professional, collegiate, high school or organized amateur sporting events, including baseball, softball, football, basketball, hockey, track and field, field hockey, lacrosse and soccer; and any other event involving a game or other athletic competition organized by a league or association.

"I commend the Boston City Council on passing the ordinance banning smokeless tobacco at sports venues in Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud to sign this ordinance today. If we continue to take action steps such as these, Boston will be on its way to becoming a healthier City, full of positive examples for our young people to follow. The consequences of smokeless tobacco are real and can be devastating. We're doing the right thing for our children and I look forward to continuing on the path to making Boston a leader in healthy and active living."

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. The National Cancer Institute states that chewing tobacco and snuff contain 28 cancer-causing agents and the U.S. National Toxicology Program has established smokeless tobacco as a "known human carcinogen." While cigarette smoking in the U.S. has been on the decline, smokeless tobacco among youth has remained steady since 1999. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) finds that nationally 14.7 percent of high-school boys and 8.8 percent of all high-school students reported using smokeless products in 2013 and each year about 535,000 kids ages 12-17 use smokeless tobacco for the first time.

"Smokeless tobacco" refers to any product that contains cut, ground, powdered, or leaf tobacco and is intended to be placed in the oral or nasal cavity, including, but not limited to, snuff, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, dissolvable tobacco products and snus.

"With this decisive action, Boston hits a homerun for baseball, cancer prevention and public health," said Dr. Howard Koh of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "We thank Mayor Walsh and the Boston City Council for their leadership in setting a historic example for the country."

Those managing the event sites will be primarily responsible for maintaining compliance with the ordinance. Signs should be clearly posted at entrances to sites as well as dugouts, bullpens, training and locker rooms and press boxes.  Any person found in violation may be fined $250 per offense. The prohibitions and requirements will become effective on April 1, 2016.

"With Boston playing a leading role, from coast to coast, city by city, we are getting tobacco out of baseball once and for all," said Matthew L. Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. "Mayor Walsh's signature on this law means Boston is a national leader in reducing the number of young people using smokeless tobacco. Our national pastime should be about promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, not a deadly and addictive product."

More information on this ordinance can be found at http://ow.ly/RWpTg.

Beer Distributors of Massachusetts Recognize the Industry’s 2,200+ Workers, Highlight Economic Impact

Beer Distributors of Massachusetts Recognize the Industry’s 2,200+ Workers, Highlight Economic Impact

BOSTON, MA – As Americans across the country this week celebrated the nation’s hardworking men and women, the Beer Distributors of Massachusetts highlighted the tremendous work of the over 2,200 men and women directly employed by the beer distribution industry, the jobs it contributes to Massachusetts, and the industry’s impressive innovation and growth.

Nearly all of the over 2,200 jobs provided by members of the Beer Distributors of Massachusetts are full time. According to an economic impact study jointly commissioned by the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Beer Instituteover 41,000 jobs in Massachusetts are linked to its strong beer industry, as branding, marketing and distributing products creates a need for additional labor.

The NBWA/Beer Institute study also found that America's beer industry contributes more than $5 billion annually to Massachusetts' economy.

“When someone buys that new craft beer they have been wanting to try, they are not only contributing to an entrepreneurial craft beer culture in Massachusetts, but they are supporting countless full time jobs,” said Bill Kelley, president of the Beer Distributors of Massachusetts. “Many people do not realize the hard work that goes into promoting a brand, from driving trucks to designing logos and writing marketing plans. This is an industry that promotes good middle class jobs, and it is growing.”

According to the Brewers Association, there are 61 craft breweries in Massachusetts, up from 45 in 2011. Massachusetts beer makers Boston Beer Co. and Harpoon, which were pioneers of the national craft beer movement in the 1980s, were recently cited for being “among the 15 largest craft beer makers in America.”  Boston Beer Co., maker of Samuel Adams, is actually the No. 2 craft brewer in the United States, and the 5thlargest brewer overall behind only Anheuser Busch, Miller Coors, Pabst Brewing Co. and D.G. Yuengling and Son, according to the Brewers Association.

There were over 3,400 brewers operating in the U.S. in 2014, compared to fewer than 70 in the 1980s. The year 2014 saw 600 new breweries open, with more being planned.

“This innovative spirit that inspires craft brewers in Massachusetts is a win for local economies, for jobs and for the middle class,” said Kelley. “But most of all, our state’s robust craft brewing industry is a win for consumers, who are never short on variety and choice. This Labor Day, it is worth toasting to the beer distribution industry’s hard workers, as well as to the entire industry that is flourishing here in Massachusetts."

MAYOR WALSH AND POLICE COMMISSIONER EVANS ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO CURB GUN VIOLENCE



波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)和波士頓警察局局長伊文斯(William Evans)昨(9)日聯袂宣布,將加強和槍枝商販,持槍牌者聯繫,組織槍枝高峰會,以打擊非法槍枝。
波士頓市的槍枝兇殺案和去年同期相比,減少了30%,但最近一連串的非致命性槍擊案,促使市府決定加強行動。
馬丁華殊表示,“我們必須有創意的想出辦法來減少街頭的非法槍枝,以及暴力案件數量”。
去年,市議會採取步驟,加嚴了槍枝控制法,他也持續和政府及社區夥伴合作,要讓社區及家庭感到安全。
            伊文斯表示,開槍射擊的人,多半都有辦法拿到街頭的非法槍枝。不更好的執法,教育民眾,就會讓合法買的槍枝都流入罪犯之手,
            20142015年內,波士頓警察局從街頭沒收了1500把槍枝,並將繼續使用主動,針對性地行動來執法。
            新的做法將藉詢問合法槍枝擁有者及售賣者,打擊社區內的暴力行為。
            波士頓警察局在2007年到2013年間,搜回3202支槍。波士頓市長馬丁華殊和警察局長伊文斯責成的一項調查,分析煙酒及槍枝局(Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF))追蹤這些槍枝的數據,發現32.4%原本是從麻州持牌經銷商那兒買來的。
            根據該調查作者,Anthony Braga博士,這些麻州槍枝有85%是從非原始擁有者那兒查收的。儘管法律有明文歸地,卻有63%沒向麻州槍枝紀錄局辦理轉讓或轉售登記。只有11%申報丟失或遭竊。
            該報告的發現重點還包括,波士頓警察局在20072013年間,共查收3,764把槍,其中3,202支槍在調查中做了分析,64.2%是在犯非法持槍罪中被查獲,5.2%是在暴力犯罪中被查收。
            儘管調查顯示,麻州罪犯仍然依靠州外槍枝,卻也顯示麻州政府需要加強教育人們新州法規定槍枝轉讓必須登記,而且人們可在網上快捷,方便的登記。
上週,馬丁華殊發佈法令,禁止在公共場合展示複製手槍,以免複製品太逼真,民眾,警察無法辨識,因而肇事。
該法令將容許波士頓警察局沒收複製槍,並要求擁有者到警察局取回。若持有複製槍者年紀未滿18歲,警方將通知家長或監護人。
2015年內,波士頓警察局已在與犯罪相關行動中,查獲100多把複製槍。

MAYOR WALSH AND POLICE COMMISSIONER EVANS ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL STEPS TO CURB GUN VIOLENCE
Engaging with Gun Owners, Convening Regional Gun Summit
BOSTON - Wednesday, September 9, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Evans today announced steps to increase public safety in the City of Boston by engaging in extensive outreach to gun licensees and vendors, and convening a regional gun summit to discuss best practices.  Although the number of gun homicides is down nearly 30 percent compared to this time last year, Boston has recently seen an uptick in non-fatal shootings.

"We must think creatively in order to reduce the amount of illegal guns and violence on our streets," said Mayor Walsh. "Last year, the Legislature took real steps to strengthen our gun control laws, and I look forward to continuing to work with our government and community partners to create neighborhoods where all of our families can feel safe."

"These individuals who are doing the shootings, they have access to illegal weapons on the street," said Commissioner Evans. "Without better enforcement and education, we're letting things slip through the cracks and legally purchased firearms are falling into the hands of criminals. In 2014 and 2015, the Boston Police Department has recovered 1,500 guns from the streets of Boston, and will continue to combat gun violence by using proactive, targeted enforcement. These new initiatives will supplement the great work of the officers by asking legal gun owners and vendors to do their part to combat violence in the neighborhoods."

In a recently published study commissioned by Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans that analyzed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) trace data on 3,202 handguns recovered by the Boston Police Department between 2007 and 2013, the study found that 32.4 percent of traceable recovered handguns were originally purchased from a Massachusetts Federal Firearms License dealer. According to the study's author, Dr. Anthony Braga, of these Massachusetts-sourced firearms, almost 85 percent of them were recovered from someone other than the original, legal purchaser. Sixty-three percent of these guns had not been reported as transferred or sold to the Massachusetts Firearms Records Bureau, even though such transfers are required by law. Only 11 percent had been reported lost or stolen.

Some Highlights of the Findings:
  • 3,764: total number of firearms recovered by BPD between 2007 and 2013
  • 3,202: number of handguns analyzed in study
  • 64.2 percent recovered in illegal gun possession crimes
  • 5.2 percent recovered in violent crimes (homicide, aggravated assault & robbery)
While the report indicates that criminals in Massachusetts still depend on guns from outside the state, it also highlights the need for continued education about the new state law that requires secondary transfers to be submitted to the state's Firearms Records Bureau's online reporting system. The move to online processing was designed to be fast and convenient, and to address gaps in records submission like those highlighted in the study.  It is imperative that legal gun owners know about the online system, and utilize it, so law enforcement can better trace crime guns and continue to find where illegal guns are coming from.

Mayor Walsh is actively working to engage local communities to change the trajectory of those involved in violence. The Mayor's Office of Public Safety and the BPD are working side by side with residents and neighborhood-based social service providers on a number of initiatives, such as community engagement walks, designed to create a street-level approach to combating gun violence. On the supply side, Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans are driving additional efforts aimed at keeping firearms off the streets and out of the hands of criminals. The following steps will immediately be implemented in an effort to assist with the safety, security, and tracking of firearms in the City of Boston.
  1. Letter to Gun Licensees  
Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans believe strongly that Boston's responsible gun owners are equally concerned with gun trafficking and the illegal use of guns.  With that in mind, Mayor Walsh and Commissioner Evans will send a letter to all gun licensees in the City of Boston to personally ask for their help in reducing gun violence in the City and combat the noncompliance with the new firearms transfer requirements implemented last year. The letter will provide licensees with:
  • Information on how to properly report a private gun sale, loss or theft.  In light of Dr. Braga's research and findings, it is imperative that all gun sales, losses and thefts are reported accurately and in a timely manner.  Gun licensees are reminded of this new requirement in the law, and specifics on how to electronically report secondary sales.  
  • Opportunity for a free gun lock.  Free gun locks will be available at Boston Police Headquarters and district stations to gun licensees to assist them in properly securing their firearms.
  • Information on how to turn in a firearm.  With the recent re-launch of "Your Piece for Peace," should a legal gun owner wish to turn in a firearm, they can do so at a district station for a $200 gift card.
  • Advice on proper weapon storage.  Gun licensees are advised to contact the Boston Police Department Licensing Unit to obtain assistance on how to properly store and /or dispose of their weapons.
2. Survey to Gun Vendors during bidding process about Preventing Illegal Firearm Sales, Gun Safety Measures, and Education on Straw Purchasing

In conjunction with the Arms with Ethics Responsible Gun Vendor Initiative, going forward the Boston Police Department will require all firearm vendors and retailers who respond to bids for the purchase of Department firearms to complete a survey about responsible gun vendor practices and include their responses to the survey with their bid response.  These responses will be included as part of the overall bid package, and will be evaluated by the Department to ensure the vendors and retailers are following best practices in their own company to prevent illegal gun sales and theft.  We are also evaluating an engagement program that will offer resources and tools to help get vendors and retailers to utilize these best practices to prevent illegal gun sales and theft.

3. Regional gun summit in Fall 2015 with Mayors and Law Enforcement Leaders to discuss a multi-jurisdictional approach to prevent gun violence.

Because gun violence is a problem faced by every major city and town in the nation, conversations must continue to take place between Mayors and Law Enforcement to advance solutions and coordination.  Mayor Walsh is committed to leading this initiative in an effort to use all tools available to make the City's neighborhoods safer.

Last week, Mayor Walsh filed an ordinance banning replica handguns in public spaces. Given the authentic look of many of the replica handguns on our streets, residents and even police officers have a difficult time determining what is a real firearm versus an imitation firearm.

The ordinance will allow the Boston Police Department to confiscate replica firearms and require the owner to pick it up in person at the district station. If a replica handgun is confiscated from someone under the age of 18, BPD will notify the parent or guardian that the minor was found with a replica handgun in a public space. The parent or guardian will then have the option to retrieve the replica firearm, but BPD will not release it directly to the minor. By engaging parents and guardians, BPD hopes the community can be allies in the effort to remove replica firearms from the hands of our youth. In 2015, the Boston Police Department has recovered over 100 replica handguns in connection with crimes.