Each month, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans joins necn's Latoyia Edwards for a conversation on "Boston's Top Cop."
Thursday, Evans shared his thoughts on a case that is on everyone's minds - the murder of Bella Bond, formerly known as "Baby Doe," allegedly by her mother's boyfriend.
"It's a sad case," said Evans. "I'm glad that we were able to work with the state police and come up with a name."
Michael McCarthy is charged with Bella's murder. The child's mother, Rachelle Bond, is charged as an accessory after the fact. Both were arrested after Bella was identified Friday following a call to Boston Police.
"We got a call in to our 911 operator, who did an outstanding job - she kept the caller on the line for about eight minutes or so," said Evans. "At that point, she was able to turn them over to one of our homicide detectives, who got the information. Then, we relayed it to the state police, and then we worked hand in hand on Maxwell Street."
Evans also discussed an incident Wednesday night in which a male allegedly fired a BB gun, which appeared to be an assault rifle equipped with a scope and a silencer, out a South Boston window.
"You really can't tell the difference," Evans said of some modern replica guns. "We actually worked to get a city ordinance passed to try to stop the sale of these guns, because they look so real."
Massachusetts
The latest news from around the state
He explained in full detail the danger of such realistic fake guns.
"Our worst nightmare, and all my officers' worst nightmare, is, heaven forbid, a young child has one of these fake guns pointing at one of our officers," Evans said. "It leaves us no choice."
One question frequently asked of Boston Police involves the use of body cameras - the department still has not implemented them.
"We're working with the vendors right now, we're working with the union, and, you know, we're moving towards it," said Evans. "Hopefully in the next couple months, we get it up and running, but it's not an easy fix."
Evans said that, despite negative public perception of police in general, the Boston force is not in danger of a backlash from the use of cameras.
"All my officers do a great job, I don't think they have anything to hide," he said. "I think the good thing that's going to come out of here is people are going to have to, first-hand, see what we have to deal with on the street every day."
On a lighter note, Evans talked about such pressing matters as his autumnal diet.
"I like pumpkin coffee - I've already had a couple," he said. "It's in season now, so everything's pumpkin, and I look forward - I like Halloween."
