City of Boston estimates it could be out $80 million due to COVID-19 pandemic

BOSTON — The city estimates it could potentially lose up to $80 million because of the pandemic.

But, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh was adamant there would be no layoffs based on the numbers they have right now.

Talking at a COVID-19 briefing, Walsh said the city’s police department has made huge strides. In the past seven years, Walsh says excessive force complaints are down 50% and overall arrests are down 10%.

“But [that] doesn’t mean we are perfect by any sense of the imagination,” said Walsh.

There have been recent calls to defund Boston Police and reallocate money to other needs, including mental health counseling, youth programs and equity training.

“The police department constantly has to evolve and address these issues and I think in light of Mr. Floyd’s murder I think it puts a real urgency on or even a deeper look at our practices and how we handle our stuff," said Walsh.

Boston 25 has been reporting on how the state is considering legislation to mandate invidious like police officer certification.

Walsh does not oppose that idea but wants more information about it.

“I would be more interested in making sure the training is consistent across the Commonwealth and making sure as you go from one jurisdiction to another, if you go to Boston to another city, the training policies are the same,” said Walsh.

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