Gov. Baker announces new legislation on criminal dangerousness

BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker filed legislation Thursday that would make it easier for police to detain suspects deemed a risk to their communities.

The bill comes following the murders of Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna and Yarmouth Police Sgt. Sean Gannon this year.

"These conditions are too often violated with little consequence. We need to hold them accountable for their actions," said Baker.

The bill would create a new felony offense for cutting off GPS monitoring bracelets and bail commissioners and magistrates would be required to notify authorities if someone out on pretrial release commits a new crime.

"These reforms bringing a sense of justice to our communities. They bring a sense of justice to the victims," said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross.

The bill would also allow police officers to arrest suspect probation violators without seeking a warrant first and allow a judge to consider a defendant's entire criminal history when ruling on conditions of release.

"Current law requires the courts to require only the crime charged and ignore the defendant's criminal history," said Baker.

Emmanuel Lopes, charged in Sgt. Chesna's murder had a history of run-ins with local police and was out on $500 bail for a pending drug charge.

"We called on our legislature to act and what has transpired since then has been remarkable," said Yarmouth Police Chief Fred Fredrickson.

Thomas Latanowich, charged with the death of Sgt. Gannon had over 100 criminal charges in Massachusetts before his arrest.

"There has been a groundswell of support for people who want to be safe in their communities and they want their police officers to be safe, as well," said Fredrickson.

Cox Media Group