Public Safety

Leading up to the November 4 local election, the Newton Beacon asked candidates in competitive elections for mayor and city council how they would improve public safety in Newton.

John Chaimanis, City Council Candidate, Ward 4 At-Large: Newton is such a desirable city because it is a safe place to live, and we cannot take that for granted. For generations our family has had members of both the police and fire departments. I strongly support these brave people and I am grateful for the risks that they take to keep us safe. Building stronger community ties between these professionals and with our neighbors is a near zero cost way to improve public safety.  The National Night Out events are great ways to build that rapport, and we can do more.  When personal relationships are established, trust is built and the community benefits.Information campaigns run by NPD & NFD about safety issues are another way to help the public remain vigilant. When we are informed about issues, we can help each other better. For example, timely information about burglaries and package snatching coupled with neighborhood watches can be an effective combination, as well as fire/smoke detector testing reminders. 

Lisa Gordon, City Council Candidate, Ward 6 At-Large: The City Council should actively support efforts that strengthen public safety across all departments, including police, fire, health and human services, traffic, and public works. This means ensuring our first responders have modern facilities, up-to-date equipment, and the best possible training to keep the community safe.

Cyrus Dahmubed, City Council Candidate, Ward 4 At-Large: Newton is fortunate to be a safe community, thanks in large part to the culture of community care that we foster. We should continue this by finding common ground, reaching across divides, and prioritizing empathy in our public lives. This means working to heal divisions and disagreements with a “Hate Has No Home Here”-stance on bullying and creating safe, inclusive, enriching spaces for our young people. We can combat hatred in all its forms, latent and overt, and take strides to foster shared cultural understandings that bring us together, even and especially in challenging times. I’d seek better use of resources by eliminating overnight policing of individual vehicles in the winter, and instead reinvesting these resources in traffic calming around our schools, and community policing and engagement. This will be key to helping us achieve our aspirations as a Welcoming City by protecting friends, families, and neighbors in the era of increased federal activity in our communities.

Julie Irish, City Council Candidate, Ward 5: Newton is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the country, thanks to the strong work already being done. We need to build on that success by continuing to support our police and fire departments with the resources and training they need to respond effectively in emergencies. While some improvements are underway at the Newton Police Station, more renovations are needed to support the department’s many functions. Community policing builds trusted relationships between officers and residents and should play a central role in keeping neighborhoods safe. At the same time, public safety today means recognizing the role of mental health. We must ensure that first responders and community partners have the tools and training to address crisis with care and compassion. But public safety isn’t only about City services, it’s about community too. We all play a role by looking out for our neighbors, staying engaged and working together.

Josh Krintzman, City Council Candidate, Ward 4 At-Large: Improving public safety in Newton requires a comprehensive approach that invests in infrastructure, technology, and community well-being. One of my top priorities on the city council is, and will continue to be, investing in our infrastructure. For example, the city’s aging police headquarters needs significant upgrades and we should provide a modern, efficient facility that supports effective operations and fosters a safe, welcoming environment for residents and officers alike. A well-equipped headquarters enhances emergency response, training, and community engagement, strengthening trust and preparedness. Keeping pace with technological advances is also essential. Investing in modern equipment, data-driven policing tools, and updated communications systems can improve response times, assist crime prevention, and enhance coordination among our public safety agencies. Technology can also enhance transparency and accountability through better data collection and public reporting.

Marc Laredo, Mayoral Candidate: We have excellent public safety services in Newton, and I am proud to have been endorsed by all three public safety unions (the two police unions and the firefighters union). We must ensure that our police and firefighters have up to date facilities and equipment and first-rate training.

Garry Miller, City Council Candidate, Ward 5: Newton is a very safe community overall. However, the police and fire departments are currently understaffed. I would support hiring some additional officers and firefighters to bolster these departments. In addition, road safety is an issue, particularly with some dangerous intersections which need to be improved. Finally, we must remain focused on improving safety for our pedestrians and bicyclists by building infrastructure that supports these alternate methods of getting around the city.

Sean Roche, City Council Candidate, Ward 6 At-Large: We are fortunate to live in a very safe city. Nonetheless, we face some challenges in the current moment, including rising incidents of hate. And, we must protect our friends, neighbors, and folks who work in and from Newton from the federal overreach on immigration. As a city councilor, I will advocate for police policies that make all vulnerable communities feel seen and protected.