Community Corner
Locked Up (for a Good Cause) in Brookline
"Hi Mom? I just got arrested and need bail money to support Muscular Dystrophy!"
When Brookline Police Officer Kate McCabe entered the Town Hall and served an arrest warrant to Finance Director Stephen Cirillo, this raised a few eyebrows in the office.
Moreso when he made the prisoner walk from his office, was placed in the back of a cruiser, taken to jail, booked and photographed. He was then dressed in stripes, and informed that his bail was set at $2,400. Cirillo was then taken to a holding area and was instructed to make phone calls and raise bail. Officers even made sure he was fed and well-treated. However, Mr. Cirillo was not guilty of any crimes.
In fact, he and dozens of other citizens, town employees and business leaders from Brookline and Newton volunteered to be arrested to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. When (and if) volunteers make bail, they can ring a bell and be released.
Find out what's happening in Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Organized by Brookline Firefighter Ed Donnelly, yesterday's MDA Lock Up event at the in Washington Square ran from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Fireplace served as the "jail" for about 40 volunteer prisoners.
Donnelly, who serves as the Chairman of the MDA Committee for Brookline Firefighters Local 950, contacted Captain Tom Keaveny from the police department to ask if any officers might be interested in helping pick up "prisoners." Keaveny provided 3 cruisers and the Prisoner Transport Vehicle, and officers Amy Hall, Sean Williams, Kate McCabe, Sun Chow and Debbie Hatz came in on a day off to support the cause.
Find out what's happening in Brooklinewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
At precisely 11 a.m., the officers were dispatched to locations all over Brookline and Newton to serve warrants and transport the arrestees back to the jail. Some were picked up at home, while other volunteer prisoners decided to be "picked up" at work--in front of co-workers.
More prisoners were picked up at noon and at 1 p.m. to to have mug shots taken, call friends, family and co-workers for bail and enjoy a meal with new and old friends. Once the jailbirds secured their $2,400 bail, they rang a bell and were released.
The $2,400 "bail money" is enough to send three children to MDA summer camps, or provide research, treatment and hope for children and adults suffering from the neuromuscular disease, as well as much needed support for families.
