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The News Site of Boston College

The Heights
The News Site of Boston College

The Heights
The News Site of Boston College

The Heights
residential burglaries more than doubled last year, from 18 in 2023 to 39 in 2024. (Genevieve Morrison / Heights Editor)

NPD Responds to Newton’s Rise in Crime Last Year

Sofia Levorchick • February 23, 2025
Newton saw an uptick in crime last year, especially in home break-ins and destruction of property, according to police officials.
The afterschool program brings together students, boxing coaches, and police officers to offer self-defense lessons and build relationships between young residents and law enforcement. (Photo Courtesy of Nonantum Boxing Club)

Newton Police Department Partners with Nonantum Boxing Club for After-school Youth Boxing Program

Ella Song and Olivia Joung • January 24, 2023
The free boxing program is held at the Nonantum Boxing Club and welcomes participants ages 10 to 17 every Wednesday.
For much of the meeting, Scott questioned Carmichael on what progress NPD has made on a list of recommendations that the Newton Police Reform Task Force had submitted to it. (Will Martino/For the Heights)

Reverend and Newton Police Chief Meet to Discuss Ways to Strengthen Relationships Between Police and Community

Will Martino • October 16, 2022
Rev. Devlin Scott, senior pastor of Newton’s NewCity Church, and John Carmichael, chief of the Newton Police Department (NPD), came together for a public discussion on Oct. 6 focused on the relationship between police and the people they serve.
Community Resource Dog Joins Newton Police Department

Community Resource Dog Joins Newton Police Department

Julia Remick • September 29, 2021
Leo is a nine-week-old golden retriever that will serve as a community resource dog, as recommended by the Newton Reform Task Force. 
Newton Police Investigate Two Bias-Motivated Incidents Against Asian Americans

Newton Police Investigate Two Bias-Motivated Incidents Against Asian Americans

Lauren Wittenmyer • August 5, 2021
“Within the last 24 hours, we have had two bias incidents, both Asian related, in Newton,” Mayor Ruthanne Fuller wrote in a statement on July 21. 
Newton Officials Respond to Resident Concerns After Break-ins

Newton Officials Respond to Resident Concerns After Break-ins

Julia Remick • July 29, 2021
A series of five break-ins into the homes of Asian residents in Newton has caused alarm within the community. 
Mayor Fuller Announces Newton's Next Police Chief

Mayor Fuller Announces Newton’s Next Police Chief

Julia Remick • April 16, 2021

John F. Carmichael Jr. will be the next chief of police of the Newton Police Department (NPD) starting in June, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller announced on Thursday.  Fuller’s selection of Carmichael for...

Newton Evaluates Policing of Leaf Blower Ordinance

Newton Evaluates Policing of Leaf Blower Ordinance

Julia Remick • April 12, 2021
The Newton Programs & Services Committee agreed to remove the responsibility of enforcing the leaf blower ordinance from the Newton Police Department, as part of changes proposed by Councilor Bill Humphrey to address compliance and enforcement of the ordinance.
Newton Police Department Hosts “Conversation with a Cop”

Newton Police Department Hosts “Conversation with a Cop”

Elizabeth Gray • February 25, 2021
The Newton Police Department hosted a virtual webinar version of its monthly “Conversation with a Cop” on Feb. 17 to answer questions anonymously submitted by members of the Newton community surrounding topics like unconscious bias and mental health training.
Newton Reviews Reports of Recent Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Incidents

Newton Reviews Reports of Recent Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Incidents

Elizabeth Gray • February 17, 2021
Reports of hate crimes and bias-related incidents in Newton in the past month have been higher than normal, according a Newton Police Department officer.
Newton Police Reform Task Force Presents Preliminary Recommendations

Newton Police Reform Task Force Presents Preliminary Recommendations

Julia Remick • February 17, 2021
The Newton Police Reform Task Force presented its preliminary recommendations, including implementing enhanced training and increasing diversity within the department to address the impacts of historic and current systemic racism in policing practices.
"Stuff A Cruiser" Drive Proves Generosity of Newton

“Stuff A Cruiser” Drive Proves Generosity of Newton

Josie McNeill • December 14, 2020
More than a hundred cars lined up in front of Newton City Hall on Tuesday night to donate their gifts for the Newton Police Department’s annual holiday gift drive, “Stuff A Cruiser,” according to Sholkin.
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