In The News

DA’s hopes high for Hub crime initiatives
By Dave Wedge
Boston Herald Chief Enterprise Reporter
Wednesday, December 6, 2006 - Updated: 04:16 AM EST

Despite campaign criticism that Gov.-elect Deval Patrick would be soft on crime, Boston’s top prosecutor is “optimistic” that the new governor will be vigilant and build on strides made by the outgoing administration.

“Improvements were continuing to be made,” Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said, singling out Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey’s crime-fighting efforts. “I hope the new governor makes a strong commitment to public safety and criminal justice.”

Patrick pledged during his campaign to hire 1,000 new cops, but Conley says he also needs to beef up the state Medical Examiner’s Office, the state crime lab and all of the district attorneys’ offices. Conley made the comments at the State House after the release of a first-of-its-kind report by Jane Doe Inc. that studied 19 Bay State domestic violence murders.

Conley attributed the current surge in bloodshed on Hub streets to a combination of depleted investigative resources and the dwindling ranks of police and prosecutors.