Rep's bid for badge raises red flags
By Dave Wedge
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - Updated: 03:44 AM EST
As if parking placards and mileage reimbursements weren't enough, some Beacon Hill pols are trying to get unauthorized Homeland Security badges as a perk for sitting on a criminal justice committee, the Herald has learned.
``What do these people have the power to do? Go arrest someone at the State House cafeteria?'' one Beacon Hill insider quipped. ``Next thing they're going to want is uniforms.''
Rep. Cheryl Rivera (D-Springfield) sent out an e-mail Monday to members of the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice and Homeland Security offering the chance to buy Homeland Security badges for $50.98. In the e-mail, a copy of which was forwarded to the Herald, Rivera noted that ``it has been brought to my attention that some of you maybe (sic) interested in badges . . . as distinguished members of public safety and homeland security.'' The proposed badges would include the state seal with the words ``Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee - MA.''
Katie Ford, spokeswoman for the state Executive Office of Public Safety, said the state's top homeland security officials - EOPS secretary Edward Flynn and undersecretary Robert Haas - do not carry badges and that there are no official state homeland security badges.
``I really couldn't say what benefits would come with them,'' Ford said. ``Homeland security is all about the core mission of our public safety agencies. There's no real authority that goes with anything outside of that public safety world.''
Rivera could not be reached last night for comment. Sen. Stephen Brewer (D-Barre), who is on the joint committee, said he received the e-mail and was baffled.
``It doesn't appear that I need it,'' Brewer said. ``I don't know what it's supposed to do or how it could help me in any way, shape or manner. It's all news to me.''
Colin Durrant, spokesman for Rivera's co-chairman, Sen. Jarrett Barrios (D-Cambridge), said the senator was unaware of the badge issue.
By Dave Wedge
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - Updated: 03:44 AM EST
As if parking placards and mileage reimbursements weren't enough, some Beacon Hill pols are trying to get unauthorized Homeland Security badges as a perk for sitting on a criminal justice committee, the Herald has learned.
``What do these people have the power to do? Go arrest someone at the State House cafeteria?'' one Beacon Hill insider quipped. ``Next thing they're going to want is uniforms.''
Rep. Cheryl Rivera (D-Springfield) sent out an e-mail Monday to members of the Joint Committee on Criminal Justice and Homeland Security offering the chance to buy Homeland Security badges for $50.98. In the e-mail, a copy of which was forwarded to the Herald, Rivera noted that ``it has been brought to my attention that some of you maybe (sic) interested in badges . . . as distinguished members of public safety and homeland security.'' The proposed badges would include the state seal with the words ``Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee - MA.''
Katie Ford, spokeswoman for the state Executive Office of Public Safety, said the state's top homeland security officials - EOPS secretary Edward Flynn and undersecretary Robert Haas - do not carry badges and that there are no official state homeland security badges.
``I really couldn't say what benefits would come with them,'' Ford said. ``Homeland security is all about the core mission of our public safety agencies. There's no real authority that goes with anything outside of that public safety world.''
Rivera could not be reached last night for comment. Sen. Stephen Brewer (D-Barre), who is on the joint committee, said he received the e-mail and was baffled.
``It doesn't appear that I need it,'' Brewer said. ``I don't know what it's supposed to do or how it could help me in any way, shape or manner. It's all news to me.''
Colin Durrant, spokesman for Rivera's co-chairman, Sen. Jarrett Barrios (D-Cambridge), said the senator was unaware of the badge issue.