BOSTON (AP) – Boston Mayor Thomas Menino was hospitalized during the weekend after complaining of mild abdominal discomfort.
After Menino was admitted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital on Saturday, doctors found that his intestine was mildly inflamed, the hospital said in a brief statement released Sunday.
“The mayor is in good condition and resting comfortably,” said mayoral spokesman Seth Gitell.
The discomfort was an “isolated incident” unrelated to Menino’s cancer surgery last year, according to the hospital.
N.H. crash kills
married couple
SUTTON, N.H. (AP) – A young married couple from Canaan died in a fiery crash on Interstate 89 in Sutton early Sunday, state police said.
Stefany and Paulo Manhoni died shortly before 4 a.m. after their Ford Explorer went onto the median, hit a boulder and burst into flames. Police weren’t able to get them out of the vehicle.
Investigators said it appeared Stefany, 18, fell asleep at the wheel. She and Paulo, 20, were returning home after visiting relatives in Nashua.
State police said speed and alcohol did not appear to be factors.
Women groped at
Harvard Square
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) – Police say it appears that a number of women have decided not to report a string of gropings in the Harvard Square area because they were either too afraid, too embarrassed or simply didn’t think it was a serious enough offense.
Harvard Police Chief Francis D. Riley said one student, who did report being groped, told police, “I’ve had worse things happen to me in a club.” “Indecent asssault is still a crime to us, and it could lead to rape,” Riley said. “We do take it seriously and we do not try to discourage people from taking these things seriously.”
A Harvard University janitor charged in a series of sexual assaults in Cambridge has allegedly told police that he groped at least 120 women. But only five of Geremias Cruz Ramos’ alleged victims reported the crime.
In a separate case, police say a male bicyclist also has groped several women. Police were able to identify him, but have been unable to charge him, the Boston Sunday Globe reported.
“There is a reluctance among women to come in and identify him,” Cambridge Police Commissioner Ronnie Watson said.
“But we know who he is, and as long as we keep an eye on him, we can prevent future crimes from happening.”
If victims report when they’ve been sexually assaulted in cases of groping and other unwanted touching, authorities can do a better job of tracking crime and ultimately arresting a suspect, officials said.
The police and other officials spoke at a security and safety educational seminar attended by about three dozen people at the Charles Hotel.
Rick Avery, regional president of Securitas Security Services, which has several clients in Cambridge and sponsored the seminar, said he wanted people to know that reporting a crime doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be dragged into prosecution of the case.
“We just need you to report it,” he said.
Audience member Adrian Bishko, an 18-year Cambridge resident, said she was surprised by the lack of reporting.
“You would think today’s woman is more assertive, especially a Harvard woman,” she said.
“It is scary. But I think women should at least let police know what happened so they can be aware.”
AP-ES-03-28-04 0724EST
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