Commissioners Hear Emotional Testimony on Bus Stop Attack

The Cambridge City Commissioners heard a series of tense and emotional public comments Monday night about youth violence and bullying after hearing testimony about an October assault by middle school students on a parent at a school bus stop. 

Parents urged city leaders to push for better safety policies. At the same time, officials stressed the limits of city authority and noted ongoing work with Dorchester County Public Schools to address the issue.

Testifying before the Commissioners, LaKesha Graves described being called by her children to pick them up because a group planned to assault them.  Attempting to diffuse the situation at the bus stop, Graves was assaulted herself.  

“Under the direction of a high schooler, several middle schoolers attacked my daughters and me as some stood by and another recorded,” she told the Commissioners.  This recording has been widely circulated on the internet.  

Graves said repeated warnings and reports had not brought results. “Complaints of bullying need to be taken seriously,” she said, adding that she has opted to keep her children out of school since the attack.  “Parents face consequences when they make the decision to keep their children home rather than be subjected to bullying behavior.” 

She said the incident revealed gaps across several systems, especially the fact that bus procedures allow students to board buses they are not assigned to.  “That means none of our children are safe.” 

Several residents echoed concerns about bus safety, school supervision, and slow emergency response times.  Donald Simon, who moved to Cambridge to be near his grandchildren, said the reports gave him pause about relocating his family.  “When I heard that children can board school buses other than their own school bus, there’s something wrong with that,” he testified.

Board of Education member Christine LaMonica said accountability is needed, but cannot stand alone.  

“Consequences and accountability are necessary and sensible for the safety of the victims, the community, and even the young people who caused the harm,” LaMonica said.  “But consequences and accountability alone will not change the larger picture.”  She urged attention to trauma, hopelessness, and chronic stress in youth.

City Manager Glenn Steckman outlined steps the city and schools have already taken in the wake of the incident.  He said Cambridge police have met with Graves and listened to her account, adding that Mayor Lajan Cephas-Bey and Police Chief Justin Todd met with Superintendent Dr. Jymil Thompson to discuss bus monitors and limits on who may ride.  Steckman said the city is providing support where it can, even though schools fall under county authority.

Steckman said the city has approved the position of a school resource officer, which costs the city well over $100,000 a year,” Steckman said.  He also cited other city investments for youth-oriented activities, such as the Empowerment Center and ALL4LOVE, and annual support for the new Boys and Girls Club. 

“Everybody was horrified by the video that was seen,” he said.  “[But] there is a lot going on that sometimes we don’t hear about.” 

Mayor Cephas-Bey said the assault was “heartbreaking” and called for broader attention to the circumstances that led to repeat behavior.  She said some of the youths involved were not first-time offenders. 

“They still need love, and they still need to be protected,” she said.  “But there’s a component that’s missing: accountability from the parents.”  She referenced a prior bill in the State Legislature that would have created a parental accountability program, including possible restitution or community service.

Commissioners urged a community response beyond government.  Ward 2 Commissioner Shay Lewis-Sisco, who works in county schools, said she sees both the harm and the vulnerability among students.  

“Some of those same students are students who, when you engage them one-on-one, will break down and have conversations with you,” she said, encouraging residents not to lose momentum after the immediate shock fades.

Commission President Sputty Cephas said young people often cannot articulate what they need or want, which complicates efforts to design effective programs.  He argued that adults and youth will have to work together. 

“It requires a partnership,” he said.  “It’s a very unfortunate situation that happened in our community, but we have to continue to show up and continue to be the voice.”

The Mayor ended the discussion by asking residents to volunteer with Dorchester County Public Schools, noting that the school system will vet applicants.  

“We need more partners to this table,” she said. “This is a call for the village.”