ShotSpotter missed fatal police shooting

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ShotSpotter Failed to Detect Fatal Central Square Police Shooting

Cambridge police confirmed Thursday that the gunshot detection system generated no alert during the Aug. 21 fatal police shooting of William Woodworth on Temple Street, less than a week after the technology was switched back on. The location sits within ShotSpotter's 1.25-square-mile coverage area, a quarter-mile from where Xavier Bautista was killed July 4. A 2025 police presentation lists gunfire outside the coverage area, inside a building or vehicle, or masked by holiday noise as the most common causes of missed detections; none applies here, and witnesses a block away reported hearing the shots clearly.

Cambridge | Somerville Independent

Mayor Siddiqui Holds Office Hours After Police Shooting

In response to the fatal police-involved shooting on Temple Street, Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui holds open office hours today, Friday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave.

City of Cambridge

Charles River Algae Advisory Area Expanded to Cambridgeport

On Aug. 27, the Cambridge Public Health Department expanded its cyanobacteria advisory for the Charles River, warning residents to avoid water contact downstream of Audrey Street in Cambridgeport.

Cambridge Public Health Department

Sept. 1 Primary Nears in Contested Cambridge-Area Senate Race

The Democratic primary for the Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate seat, which covers parts of Cambridge, is set for Tuesday, Sept. 1, pitting Will Brownsberger against Daniel Lander in one of the state's most competitive races.

Watertown News

Brownsberger and Lander Debate Housing, Transparency in Forum

State Sen. William Brownsberger and challenger Daniel Lander, endorsed by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, debated housing, small businesses, transparency and rent control in a virtual forum hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 27, ahead of the Sept. 1 primary.

Cambridge Day

Cambridge Day Posts Primary Primer Ahead of Sept. 1 Vote

Cambridge Day published a guide Aug. 27 to competitive Cambridge and Somerville legislative races ahead of the Sept. 1 state primary, with district breakdowns and candidate positions.

Cambridge Day

Pedestrian Hospitalized After Being Struck With Brick on JFK St.

A victim was hospitalized early Aug. 22 after being struck in the head with a brick on JFK Street, according to the Cambridge Police daily log published Aug. 26.

City of Cambridge

Moderna Gets FDA Approval for Updated COVID-19 Vaccines

Cambridge-based Moderna announced Aug. 27 that the FDA approved its updated Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE vaccine formulas for the 2026-2027 respiratory virus season.

BioSpace

Spindler Confections to Open Satellite Shop in Harvard Square

Spindler Confections announced Aug. 27 plans to open a satellite boutique inside the 143-year-old Leavitt & Peirce shop in Harvard Square, targeting a mid-September opening.

Cambridge | Somerville Independent

Cambridge Teachers Union Starts Year Under Expired Contracts

About 1,500 Cambridge Education Association-represented staff across five bargaining units began the 2026-2027 school year under expired contracts after more than 17 bargaining sessions failed to produce agreements, as reported Aug. 27.

Cambridge Day

Adobe Illustrator Workshop at Main Library

The Main Library at 449 Broadway hosts an introductory Adobe Illustrator class on vector-design basics today, Friday, Aug. 28, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.; Hive Safety Training is required.

City of Cambridge

High-Beginner ESOL Class Meets in Central Square

The Central Square Branch Library at 45 Pearl St. holds a high-beginner English for Speakers of Other Languages class today, Friday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m.

City of Cambridge

Central Square Library Offers Drop-In Tech Help

The Central Square Branch Library at 45 Pearl St. offers 20-minute drop-in tech help sessions today, Friday, Aug. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., for computer, mobile-device, resume and job-application support.

City of Cambridge