BPD commissioner seeks help from parents after violent weekend

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Commissioner Michael Cox, of the Boston Police Department, is asking for help from parents after more than 20 young people were arrested in connection with brawls and other incidents over a violent weekend in the city.

On Sunday, police responded to two fights involving large groups of teenagers. Five were arrested in connection with a fight near the Boston Common movie theater after more than 100 teens flooded the streets, while eight were arrested in connection with a fight near South Bay Mall.

In another incident, two officers were attacked in Downtown Crossing on Sunday night. Video from that incident shows one officer in a reflective vest being hit and taken to the ground.

"A lot of these events happen where there's a large crowd in large groups of young people coming in the city unsupervised in any way, shape or form," Cox said. "I can't think of anything good that happens when you have that many young people that age with no supervision or guidance whatsoever coming into the city."

Six people, including four juveniles, were arrested over the weekend in the North End where St. Anthony's Feast was being celebrated, Cox said.

"Ultimately we have to come in and supervise with arrest. That's not our role and job. But the reality is that's what we're doing right now," Cox said.

Additionally, a group of Black clergy leaders and community activists are now calling on Mayor Michelle Wu to declare a state of emergency. The New Democracy Coalition said it plans to release findings from an independent review on violence in the black community over the last three years on Thursday.

Video below: Commissioner Cox's full remarks about weekend violence