NU takes action after post–Super
Bowl events
In the wake of postSuper Bowl mayhem on Symphony
Road, Northeastern officials have vowed to punish vandals and rebuild
relationships with neighborhood residents.
One young man died and three others were injured
after an allegedly drunk driver drove his sport utility vehicle
into a crowd of revelers. The celebrants were overturning cars,
smashing windshields, stomping on car roofs, and lighting fires.
President Freeland, calling the events “shocking
in their senselessness,” said student troublemakers would face either
criminal prosecution or disciplinary action at Northeastern. Two
dozen photographs of college-age men damaging cars were posted on
the Public Safety website, and students were urged to help identify
those pictured. In addition, a task force of students, staff, and
faculty has been formed to improve community relations.
Twenty-one-year-old James Grabowski, of West Newbury,
Massachusetts, was killed when the SUV driver smashed into a crowd
at the corner of Symphony Road and St. Stephen Street just after
midnight on Monday, February 2, then drove off. Boston police later
arrested a Mattapan man, twenty-four-year-old Stanley Filoma, a
short distance away. Filoma was charged with vehicular homicide
while under the influence of alcohol and several other counts.
Police also arrested three NU students for malicious
destruction of property.
Grabowski is the son of state police captain Daniel
Grabowski, CJ’74, and the brother of a Northeastern freshman.
Northeastern middler Jason Stackiewicz was seriously
injured by the SUV’s impact. A third student and a Boston police
officer were treated at local hospitals and released.
University officials had taken steps to stave off
post-game trouble. Warning letters were sent to students and parents,
security was increased, and small alcohol-free parties with free
pizza were organized.
But crowds spilled out into streets near Northeastern
after the New England Patriots’ win. Disturbances were also reported
in Kenmore Square and Allston.
• E Line Story Index
|