Crime Lab Oversight, Delivery-Driver Data and Parking Tickets: The Public Safety Items Before the Council Wednesday

The Boston City Council's first meeting after the state election includes a cluster of public safety and street-safety measures, led by a request for a hearing on the state Forensic Oversight Board's review of the Boston Police Department's crime laboratory, according to the agenda for Wednesday's noon meeting.

Councilor Ed Flynn filed Docket #2100, an order for a hearing "to discuss the Massachusetts Forensic Oversight Board's review of the Boston Police Crime Laboratory." He also filed Docket #2107, a resolution "in support of waiving the residency requirement for the position of Boston Police Crime Lab Director." Boston generally requires city employees to live in the city; a waiver would allow the department to hire a director who lives elsewhere.

The agenda does not describe the scope or findings of the Forensic Oversight Board's review, and the text of the order was not included in the public notice.

Background: the lab's recent record

The council examined the crime lab's resources at a hearing in October under a separate order, Docket #0180. That order cited state figures showing the lab tested 93 of the 186 sexual assault evidence kits it received in fiscal 2023 outside the 30-day deadline set by state law. The state's more recent Fiscal Year 2025 Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit report, filed with the Legislature by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, states that "zero (0)" of the 160 kits the Boston lab received in fiscal 2025 exceeded the 30-day testing timeframe, and credits internal workflow changes completed after Jan. 15, 2024.

Bomb threats and a police hiring petition

Flynn and Councilor Erin Murphy filed Docket #2101, an order for a hearing on the Oct. 27 bomb threats at Boston Public Schools and "several universities, colleges & nonprofit institutions in Boston." The agenda does not list the institutions involved.

Councilors Ruthzee Louijeune and Benjamin Weber filed Docket #2096, a petition for a special law granting an age waiver so that a named applicant, Jean Hermilus, can join the Boston Police Department despite exceeding the maximum age requirement. Petitions for special laws, if approved by the council and signed by the mayor, go to the Legislature for action.

Flynn also filed a 17F request, Docket #2105, for any drafted, existing or expired memoranda of understanding between Boston Public Schools and the Boston Police Department.

Delivery trips and parking

Councilor Sharon Durkan filed Docket #2102, an order for a hearing "to review delivery trip data and the effectiveness of the Road Safety and Accountability for Delivery Providers Ordinance." She also filed Docket #2108, a resolution "in support of hiring more parking enforcement officers," and Docket #2110, a resolution recognizing Nov. 15, 2026, as World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims.

The agenda also includes a response from the administration under Section 17F, Docket #2090, transmitting information "regarding the number of parking meters and annual revenue generated in the City of Boston," in reply to an order the council passed on June 3. The contents of the response are not included in the public notice.

In South Boston, Flynn filed a 17F request, Docket #2103, for information on the money used to plan, design and build a bike lane on O'Connor Way, and on the money later spent to remove it and repave the street. He filed a separate request, Docket #2104, for written communications, emails, texts and permits related to the approval of a block party on O Street in South Boston on Oct. 24.

Restaurants, climate and Election Day

Flynn filed Docket #2099, an order for a hearing on the community engagement process for proposed zoning reforms for restaurants in Boston. Councilor Enrique Pepén and Durkan filed a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of Boston By Foot and naming Nov. 6 "Boston By Foot Day." Councilor Henry Santana filed Docket #2098, an order for a hearing to discuss the El Niño climate phenomenon.

Flynn also sent the council a communication, Docket #2095, "seeking legal clarity on the closure of the Boston City Council on Election Day." The council voted last month, under Docket #1975, to observe Election Day as a holiday for its own employees. The communication's text is not included in the notice, and the agenda does not say whether the city's Law Department has responded.

Matters awaiting action

Two items heard earlier in committee are listed for possible action Wednesday: Docket #1711, an ordinance amending and extending protections for tenants facing displacement by condominium or cooperative conversion, and Docket #1920, an order for a hearing on Boston Public Schools transportation performance at the start of the 2026-27 school year, contractor accountability and corrective action.

The council meets at noon in the Iannella Chamber on the fifth floor of City Hall. The meeting is open to the public.