Council reactivates ShotSpotter for 90 days

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Council Votes to Temporarily Reactivate ShotSpotter

Councillors voted 6-3 on Monday to temporarily restore ShotSpotter, the acoustic gunshot detection software the Cambridge Police Department used for more than a decade before its discontinuation earlier this summer. Under the compromise measure led by Councillor Marc McGovern and co-sponsored by Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui — both of whom voted to drop the system in the spring — the technology returns for 90 days while a panel of residents reviews it and recommends whether to keep it. McGovern said the review needs to include "especially those most impacted by violence" in weighing the technology's usefulness against concerns about overuse.

Cambridge Day

Drought Conditions Persist Across Most of Massachusetts

As of July 28, about 67% of Massachusetts remains in drought — 57% moderate and 10% severe — according to U.S. Drought Monitor data affecting the Cambridge area.

PlantMaps.com (U.S. Drought Monitor data)

Author Sarah J. Jackson Discusses New Book at Harvard Book Store

Harvard Book Store hosts Professor Sarah J. Jackson on Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. to discuss her new book, "A Second Sight: How the Wonder and Vision of Black Mediamakers Push America Toward Freedom."

Harvard Book Store

Free Lunchtime Concert Series Returns to Kendall Square's Roof Garden

On Aug. 5 from noon to 1 p.m., the Kendall Center's Urban Park Roof Garden hosts a free lunchtime concert curated by Club Passim.

Kendall Center

350 Rindge Avenue Affordable Housing Meeting Set for Aug. 5

Boston Communities and the Affordable Housing Services Collaborative will host a community meeting Aug. 5 from 6-7 p.m. at Fresh Pond Apartments to discuss a proposed 92-unit, 100%-affordable rental project at 350 Rindge Avenue with retained retail space.

City of Cambridge Community Development Department

The Hive Hosts Sewing 101 Drawstring Bag Workshop

On Aug. 5 from 7-8:30 p.m., the Cambridge Main Library's makerspace, The Hive, guides pre-registered attendees through sewing machine safety while they make a drawstring bag.

City of Cambridge

Council Pushes to Streamline Construction and Business Permitting

At its Aug. 3 meeting, the Cambridge City Council advanced plans for a centralized "concierge" system to simplify licensing and permitting and ease housing and development delays.

csindie.com

Mount Auburn Book Club Discusses 'Stiff' in Story Chapel

On Aug. 5 from 2-3 p.m., the Mount Auburn Book Club meets in West Cambridge to discuss Mary Roach's "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers."

Mount Auburn Cemetery

Jehlen Endorses Christine Barber for State Senate

Outgoing state Sen. Pat Jehlen announced Aug. 4 that she is endorsing state Rep. Christine Barber in the 2nd Middlesex District primary, which covers parts of Cambridge and Somerville.

Cambridge Day

Social Housing Task Force Meets at City Hall Annex

The Cambridge Social Housing Joint Task Force meets Aug. 5 from 3-5 p.m. at City Hall Annex; the public can watch via Zoom, though no public comment is planned.

City of Cambridge

Food Truck Wednesdays Returns at MIT

MIT's Food Truck Wednesdays runs Aug. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 25 Carleton Street.

MIT Events

Council Advocates for Extended Alcohol Service Hours

At its Aug. 3-4 meeting, the City Council asked the state to let the Licensing Commission set later closing hours for bars and restaurants and directed the City Manager to assess the impact of looser World Cup alcohol rules.

Cambridge Day