>> Braude: TONIGHT ON "GREATER BOSTON": THE GROWING HOMELESS AND ADDICTION PROBLEM AT THE AREA KNOWN AS MASS AND CASS -- MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE AND MELNEA CASS BOULEVARD -- HAS SOMEHOW MORPHED INTO A CASE OF BOSTON VERSUS REVERE.

THE MAYOR OF REVERE, BRIAN ARRIGO, JOINS ME, ALONG WITH SOMERVILLE MAYOR JOSEPH CURTATONE, ON THE CONTROVERSY AND POSSIBLE REGIONAL SOLUTIONS MOVING FORWARD.

THEN, LATER, DETAILS OF THE DISAPPEARANCE AND MURDER OF GABRIELLE PETITO HAVE BEEN EVERYWHERE OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS.

BUT MANY ARGUE IT'S JUST ANOTHER CASE OF WHAT THE LATE GWEN IFILL FIRST CALLED, "MISSING WHITE WOMAN SYNDROME," QUESTIONING WHY SO MANY OTHER CASES INVOLVING BLACK, BROWN, AND INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND CHILDREN BARELY GET ANY ATTENTION AT ALL.

DAILY BEAST EDITOR-AT-LARGE, MOLLY JONG-FAST, JOINS ME ON THAT, ALONG WITH RAQUEL HALSEY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER OF BOSTON.

♪♪ >> Braude: IN THE SEVEN YEARS SINCE THE LONG ISLAND BRIDGE WAS ABRUPTLY CLOSED, THEN DEMOLISHED, CUTTING OFF ACCESS TO KEY ADDICTION TREATMENT SERVICES, THE FALLOUT HAS SPILLED OVER INTO MANY PLACES, BUT NONE MORE THAN THE INTERSECTION OF MASS AVENUE AND MELNEA CASS BOULEVARD.

THE AREA, KNOWN LOCALLY AS MASS AND CASS, HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH HOMELESSNESS AND ADDICTION, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE ONLY INTENSIFIED IN THE PANDEMIC.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, A LOCAL POP WARNER FOOTBALL TEAM THAT PRACTICED NEARBY HAD TO MERGE WITH ANOTHER TEAM BECAUSE THEIR HOME FIELD WAS CONSTANTLY LITTERED WITH NEEDLES, AND PEOPLE REGULARLY OVERDOSED WHILE THE KIDS WERE PLAYING.

MASS AND CASS HAS BECOME A CENTRAL ISSUE IN THE BOSTON MAYORAL CAMPAIGN AS WELL, AND EARLIER THIS WEEK GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER REFERRED TO IT AS A "HUMANITARIAN CRISIS."

BUT WHILE EVERYONE AGREES IT'S A PROBLEM, THERE ISN'T A LOT OF AGREEMENT ABOUT A SOLUTION.

FORMER MAYOR MARTY WALSH, WHO ORIGINALLY ORDERED THE LONG ISLAND BRIDGE CLOSURE, WANTED TO REBUILD ON THE ISLAND.

BUT HE GOT PUSHBACK FROM THE MAYOR OF QUINCY, WHERE THE ROUTE FROM THE MAINLAND TO LONG ISLAND BEGINS.

NOW BOSTON'S ACTING MAYOR, KIM JANEY, IS SAYING WE, INDEED, NEED A REGIONAL SOLUTION AND IS PURSUING ANOTHER APPROACH, WHICH IS ANGERING ANOTHER LOCAL MAYOR -- USING ROOMS AT A HOTEL IN REVERE AS A TRANSITIONAL HOMELESS CENTER.

BUT AS MAYOR BRIAN ARRIGO MADE CLEAR YESTERDAY, HE'S NOT ON BOARD.

HE JOINS ME, ALONG WITH SOMERVILLE MAYOR JOSEPH CURTATONE, WHO IS NOT RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION THIS NOVEMBER AND WILL BECOME THE PRESIDENT OF THE NORTHEAST CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL.

>> Braude: GENTLEMEN, GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS, JIM.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Braude: MAYOR ARRIG ARRIGO YOU DON'T LOOK THE PLAN TO MOVE PEOPLE TO THE HOTEL, WHY?

>> 30 BEDS ISN'T A PLAN.

30 BEDS IS A BAND-AID ON A CRISIS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON THAT NEEDS REAL LEADERSHIP AND REAL SUPPORT.

SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, I'M NOT LOOKING TO PICK A FIGHT.

I'M TRYING TO STAND UP FOR MY CITY.

WHAT I EXPECT WHEN PEOPLE OPERATE WITH MY CITY IS THAT THEY OPERATE WITH A LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY AND DIRECT COMMUNICATION.

THAT'S NOT WE HAD WITH THE CITY OF BOSTON, UNFORTUNATELY, WITH THIS ENDEAVOR.

BUT NOW THAT I'M A PART OF THIS, I HOPE TO SEE THERE IS A REAL REGIONAL SOLUTION.

AND IF I'M GOING TO BE PART OF A SOLUTION, I NEED TO KNOW WHAT ROLE OUR CITY CAN PLAY IN THAT.

AND IT HAS TO BE A TRUE REGIONAL SOLUTION, BRINGING PEOPLE FROM A 30 MILE RADIUS AROUND THE AREA TO THE TABLE, AND IT HAS TO BE FOLKS THAT ARE INSTITUTIONAL, FOLKS THAT ARE IN HOUSING, IN RECOVERY, SERVICES, OUR BUSINESS LEADERS.

WE'VE DONE THIS WORK.

JOE AND I HAVE DONE THIS WORK OF COLLABORATING REGIONALLY AND DOING THE WORK TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

SHIPPING 30 PEOPLE INTO ANOTHER CITY IS NOT A PLAN.

IT IS NOT A SOLUTION.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A REAL SOLUTION.

>> Braude: MAYOR ARRIGO, I WANT TO BE CLEAR -- I'VE READ VIRTUALLY YOU'VE SAID ABOUT THIS, BUT YOU WANT TO BE SURE THAT REVERE IS NOT THE ONLY PARTNER.

IF THIS IS A REGIONAL PLAN, IT INCLUDES OTHER COMMUNITIES AND OTHER LEADERS.

THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, IS IT NOT?

>> EXACTLY.

LIKE I'VE SAID, WE'VE DONE THIS WORK.

I REACHED OUT TO OUR FOLKS THAT WE COLLABORATE WITH, THE NORTH SUFFOLK MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, WHICH HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN CENTRAL REVERE, AND THEY LAID OUT EXACTLY WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

THERE NEEDS TO BE LEADERS FROM THE 30 MILE RADIUS ALL COMING TOGETHER, EVERYONE FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, STATE AGENCIES, THE STATE BUREAU OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SUBSTANCE ADDICTION SERVICES, HEALTH CARE AGENCIES -- >> Braude: I GOT IT.

>> IT IS AN ALL HANDS ON DECK SITUATION.

>> Braude: JOE CURTATONE, YOU'RE IN THAT 30-MILE RADIUS.

IS A REGIONAL PLAN NEEDED, OR SHOULD BOSTON BE GOING IT ALONE?

>> WE NEED TO ALL BE DOING THIS TOGETHER.

I CHAIR THE METROPOLITAN MASS COALITION FOR THE 15 CITIES, AND WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER.

I WANT TO SAY, HEY, I HAVE -- YOU KNOW, I SUPPORT MAYOR JANEY TRYING TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE WE'RE ON OUR OWN.

I SUPPORT MAYOR ARRIGO BECAUSE FOR THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY, HE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AND MAKE SURE HE CAN ALIGN THE HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE STATE ABDICATED THAT ISSUE.

THE GOVERNOR MADE IT A PRIORITY, SAYING THIS IS THE ISSUE, TAKING ON THE OPIOID CRISIS.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE DYING A YEAR AS A RESULT OF OVERDOSE, AND YET ALL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, SOME OF THE TOP ONES AS A RESULT OF THE OPIOID TASK FORCE HAVE NOT BEEN FOLLOWED.

WE ARE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY, BUT BRIAN IS RIGHT, AND I'M NOT GOING TO ATTACK JANEY.

SHE IS LEFT WITH AN UNHEALTHY SITUATION.

ANYONE MOVING THE PROBLEM DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM.

>> Braude: MAYOR CURTATONE, I WANT TO INTERRUPT YOU FOR A SECOND.

SHIRLEY YOUNG FROM THE GLOBE WROTE A BRILLIANT PIECE IN THE GLOBE, NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE AND ALL THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH, BUT SOME OF THE BUSINESSES THERE WHOSE LEADERS SEEM TO HAVE GREAT COMPASSION, BUTLIES ARE BUT ALSO ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THEIR COSTUMERS AND THEIR BOTTOM LINE.

SHE BELIEVES THAT GOVERNOR BAKER IS GETTING INVOLVED IN A REGIONAL PLAN.

ARE YOU SAYING THAT IS NOT HAPPENING?

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN A REGIONAL PLAN.

AND I SUBMIT BRIAN HASN'T EITHER.

WE'VE BEEN AT THIS NOW FOR MANY YEARS.

INCLUDING MAYOR WALSH, TAKING ON THE OPIOID CRISIS.

THIS IS THE LATER ITERATION.

YOU MENTIONED MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESS, THE RESULTING HOMELESSNESS.

IT JUST DIDN'T COME ALONG NOW.

SO WE CAN'T JUST HAVE, LIKE WE DID IN COVID, EVERY CITY AND TOWN DOING WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST FOR YOU.

WE NEED BOTH DELIBERATE LEADERSHIP AND PLANNING, NOT PILOTING.

SOME OF US HAVE TAKEN A LEAD TO MOVE TO BE THE FIRST CITY TO HAVE A (indiscernable).

THAT'S WHEN THE KEY RECOMMENDATIONS AT A MINIMUM.

AND NOT EVEN THE PILOTING LEGISLATIONS WERE GOOD.

WE NEED EVERYTHING FROM SOLUTIONS TO TREATMENT -- >> Braude: I HEAR YOU.

I HEAR YOU.

BUT, MAYOR ARRIGO, YOU'RE BOTH SAYING THAT A REGIONAL SOLUTION IS THE SOLUTION.

SO WHY AREN'T YOU JUST DOING IT?

IF YOU BELIEVE -- AND, BY THE WAY, MAYOR JANEY'S OFFICE SAID TO US THIS AFTERNOON THAT, IN FACT, YOU HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN MEETINGS.

YOU HAD COMMUNICATED YOUR DESIRE TO ENSURE THAT REVERE RESIDENTS WOULD BE PART OF THIS.

BUT IF YOU HAVE AN ISSUE WITH HER OR THE TRANSPARENCY, AS YOU SAID, WHY NOT THE ARRIGOS AND THE CURTATONES AND THE OTHERS BE THE INITIATORS AND SAYING WHAT THEY THINK THE REGIONAL PLAN IS.

MAYOR ARRIGO FIRST, PLEASE.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT WE ARE, RIGHT?

AND I TALKED TO JOE TODAY.

I'VE TALKED TO MANY OTHER MAYORS, MAYOR DRISCOLL, EARLIER TODAY.

I'VE TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR.

I'VE TALKED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

I THINK VERY SOON YOU'LL SEE THAT ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND MANY MORE THAT NEED TO BE AT THE TABLE WILL BE.

AND WE NEED TO DO THIS WORK.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE CASES WHERE, YOU KNOW, FOLKS WANT TO TALK ABOUT MEETING AND WHETHER OR NOT WE'VE GOTTEN THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN ASKING.

AGAIN, I GO BACK TO THE FACT THAT IF I'M GOING TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, AND IF YOU'RE GOING TO ASK ME TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, THEN I NEED TO KNOW THE DETAILS AND THE ROLE I'M GOING TO PLAY IN THAT.

AND IT NEEDS TO BE A SOLUTION THAT IS REAL AND RESPONSIBLE AND ENCOMPASSES ALL OF THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO GO INTO IT -- >> Braude: MAYOR ARRIGO, I WANT TO STAY WITH YOU FOR A SECOND.

YOU SAID YOU HAVE SPONTANEOUS TO GOVERNOR BAKER.

MAYOR CURTATONE SAID GOVERNOR BAKER HAS TALKED A LOT BUT NOT SHOWN A LOT.

DO YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION OF THE GOVERNOR'S INVOLVEMENT IN THIS?

>> I KNOW THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN LOOKING AT HOW TO HELP.

ATTORNEY GENERAL HEALEY HAS BEEN LOOKING AT HOW TO HELP.

I THINK, UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT WE SEE IS A LACK OF LEADERSHIP IN THE CITY OF BOSTON.

AND THAT VACUUM IS PLAYING ITSELF OUT.

AND EVERYONE IS KIND OF LOOKING AT EACH OTHER RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO MAYORS LIKE MAYOR CURTATONE AND MYSELF, MAYOR DRISCOLL AND OTHERS, WHO ARE READY TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND GET TO WORK.

BUT ULTIMATELY WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS A LACK OF LEADERSHIP.

>> Braude: MAYOR ARRIGO, YOU MENTIONED A LACK OF LEADERSHIP IN BOSTON.

LET ME READ A PART OF A STATEMENT FROM MAYOR JANEY: "THE MUNICIPAL LEADERS SAY WE NEED TO DO THIS WORK AS A REGIONAL, BUT WHO FAIL TO DO THE WORK IN THEIR OWN CITY OR TOWN, MAY BE MAKING A GREAT SOUND BYTE, BUT IT DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM."

WOULD DO YOU SAY?

>> I SAY THAT 30 BEDS IS NOT A SOLUTION.

IT IS A BAND-AID.

MOVING A PROBLEM FROM THE CITY OF BOSTON TO ANOTHER SURROUNDING COMMUNITY IS NOT A PLAN, NOT A SOLUTION.

WHEN I PRESSED MAYOR JANEY FOR ANSWERS ABOUT WHAT OTHER MAYOR SHE'S BEEN WORKING WITH OR WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES SHE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH, SHE HAD NO ANSWERS.

SO THAT IS NOT A PLAN.

IF YOU CAN'T ANSWER SIMPLE QUESTIONS LIKE THAT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU.

IT LEAVES ME WONDERING WHETHER OR NOT FOLKS CAN TRUST WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE COMING OUT OF THE CITY OF BOSTON.

>> Braude: MAYOR CURTATONE, WE ONLY HAVE A MINUTE LEFT, THE CONCERN IS WINTER IS COMING.

EVERYBODY WHO HAS BEEN WATCHING THAT SITE SAYS IT HAS BEEN BAD SINCE LONG ISLAND WAS CLOSED, BUT THAT IT IS WORSE NOW THAN EVER.

DO YOU COLLECTIVELY HAVE THE ABILITY, ONCE WE GET PAST TRANSPARENCY ISSUES, ASSUMING GOVERNOR BAKER GETS INVOLVED, TO COME UP WITH AT LEAST AN INTERIM SOLUTION THAT DOESN'T LEAVE THESE PEOPLE LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY OUT IN THE COLD FOR THE DAMN WINTER?

>> YES, AND LET ME TELL YOU HOW.

WE HAVE BEEN ON HIS ISSUE, LEADING FROM THE BEST WE CAN FROM A REGIONAL AND COALITION LEVEL, AS WE DESCRIBED.

I WANT TO SAY I BELIEVE JANEY, REGAL, ARRIGO AND MYSELF, WE ALL CARE.

THIS IS A FULL HUMANITARIAN CRISIS.

FULL DISCLOSURE, I HAVE AN ADDICTION IN MY FAMILY.

THIS IS A HEALTH CRISIS.

THIS IS A DISEASE.

BUT IF IT IS ABOUT MOVING PEOPLE, WE JUST CONTINUE TO FEED INTO THE STIGMAIZATION INTO ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE.

WE NEED A DELIBERATE PLAN.

I BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN COMMITTED.

HOWEVER, IT AS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS.

AND STILL MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE A YEAR DIE IN MASSACHUSETTS AS A RESULT OF OVERDOSE, NOT JUST IN THE CITY OF BOSTON.

OUR RESIDENTS ARE ON MASS AND CASS, TOO, AND THEY'RE PROBABLY IN THAT HOTEL.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO GET RID OF THE PROBLEM.

I DON'T KNOCK MAYOR JANEY FOR DOING SOMETHING BECAUSE THIS IS A DESPERATE SITUATION.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT POLITICS.

I'LL BE THE FIRST TO STEP IN.

EVERYONE WATCHING, FROM THE LONGESTED OFFICES ELECTED OFFICES OR NOT, WE'RE NEED TO BE RESPONSIVE -- >> Braude: THESE PEOPLE ARE DEPEND GD ON YOU.ING AND YOU.

IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

AS AND EXAMINING DETAILS INCLUDING A POLICE STOP THAT CAME AFTER SOMEONE CALLED 9-1-1, SAYING HE SAW LAUNDRIE SLAP PETITO AND CHASE HER UP AND SIDE A SIDEWALK.

>> WE HAD BEEN FIGHTING ALL MORNING.

AND HE WOULDN'T ALLOW ME IN THE CAR.

>> WHY WON'T HE LET YOU IN THE CAR?

>> HE TOLD ME I NEEDED TO CALM DOWN.

>> Braude: THE CASE AND ALL OF IT'S ATTENTION IT HAS GOTTEN SPARKED IMPORTANT CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, MISOGYNY AND POLICING, BUT IT HAS RAISED A LOT OF QUESTIONSAABOUT ALL OF THE MISSING WOMEN'S CASES THAT DON'T GET THE WALL TO WALL COVERAGE THAT THIS IS GETTING.

PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO WOMEN OF COLOR, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS WHO HAVE NOT GARNERED A MINUTE ON YOUR CABLE NEWS SHOW.

JOINING ME IS MICHELLE HALSEY AND MOLLY JONG-FAST, WHO WROTE A PIECE ENTITLED: "WHAT GABBY PETITO'S CASE SAYS ABOUT COPS AND US."

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

MOLLY, IF I CAN START WITH YOU FOR A SECOND.

I MENTIONED MISSING WHITE WOMEN'S SYNDROME, AND YOU COMPARE IT WITH MISSING ALL OTHER WOMEN'S SYNDROME.

IS THIS AS A RESULT OF LACK OF DIVERSITY IN NEWSROOMS, GIVING THE COSTUMERS WHAT THEY WANT, OR FLATOUT RACISM?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK IT IS LACK OF DIVERSITY IN NEWSROOMS.

I THINK IT IS A SORT OF -- THE GABBY PETITO STORY DIDN'T START IN NEWSROOMS, RIGHT?

IT STARTED ON THE INTERNET.

>> Braude: IT DID.

>> SO I THINK THE CAUSE THERE IS A CULTURE THAT PRIZES BEAUTIFUL, VERY THIN, WHITE WOMEN, RIGHT?

BUT I THINK IT IS A CULTURE THAT PRIZES A CERTAIN KIND OF INTERNET CELEBRITY.

SO I THINK THOSE TWO THINGS TOGETHER SORT OF CREATED A SENSATION.

BUT IT IS AN EXTREMELY GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SAY THIS IS -- WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT ALL OF THESE OTHER WOMEN WHO HAVE DISAPPEARED.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT THIS IS NOT A PHENOMENON.

THAT THIS IS A LARGE PHENOMENON.

THE THING I'VE BEEN STRUCK BY IS WHAT A BAD JOB THE POLICE HAVE DONE, THAT THEY ARE JUST NOT AWARE OF WHAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LOOKS LIKE, IF THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE.

THAT'S WHAT STRIKES ME.

>> Braude: I WANT TO GET BACK TO THE COPS IN JUST A COUPLE OF SECONDS.

RAQUEL, IF I WAS GIVEN THAT LIST OF THREE, I WOULD HAVE PUT RACISM AT THE TOP.

AND IT IS IN PART BECAUSE WE'VE ALL READ THE STATISTICS COMING OUT OF WYOMING, WHERE PETITO'S BODY WAS FOUND, WHERE 710 INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS ARE MISSING AND THE LAST DECADE.

YOU KNOW THE PARENTS OF SOME OF THOSE WOMEN AND GIRLS AND THE PAIN THEY HAVE SUFFERED FROM THE LOSS, AND THE PAIN THEY'VE SUFFERED FROM THEIR LOSS BEING IGNORED.

CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT?

>> YEAH.

I THINK IT IS AN IMMEASURABLE AMOUNT OF PAIN AND FRUSTRATION THAT WE HEAR ABOUT AT CENTERS LIKE MINE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THERE IS A LACK OF AWARENESS AROUND WHO WE ARE, THE FACT THAT WE EXIST.

SO IF WE DON'T EXIST IN SOMEBODY'S WORLD, HOW CAN OUR DATA BE IMPORTANT?

HOW CAN THE HOSPITALS AND THE POLICE AND OTHER SERVICE CENTERS KNOW TO ACT WHETHER OR NOT A WOMAN COMING TO THEM IN CRISIS, OR A PERSON COMING TO THEM IN CRISIS, IS NATIVE-AMERICAN.

AND THEN WHEN YOU GET TO THE PART OF WORKING WITH POLICE, YOU KNOW, THERE IS VERY LITTLE LIAISON.

THERE ARE VERY LITTLE CONSULTATIONS WITH D.B.S.A.

GROUPS THAT CAN SUPPORT THE FAMILY THROUGH THAT TRAUMA AS THEY SEEK ANSWERS.

WE HAD A WOMAN IN OUR SERVICE AREA IN BOSTON WHOSE DAUGHTER WAS MURDERED IN 2018, AND SHE STILL LACKS THE ANSWERS.

SHE CAN'T GET AN ANSWER FROM THE POLICE, FROM THE CORONER'S OFFICE, AND SHE HAS WRITTEN EVERY OFFICE SHE CAN THINK OF.

WE SUPPORTED HER IN THIS, AND YET THERE ARE STILL NO ANSWERS.

AND THAT'S WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.

OUR FAMILIES ARE DOING THE WORK OF SEEKING RESOLUTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON AND FINDING THEIR LOVED ONES BEFORE THEY END UP MURDERED.

AND THERE IS JUST NO SUPPORT.

>> Braude: MOLLY, A PERFECT SEGUE, YOU WROTE A PIECE ON EXACTING THAT, SAYING THAT POLICE ARE MORE INTERESTED IN SOLVING CASES LIKE THIS THAT INVOLVE PRETTY, WHITE WOMEN.

THAT IS A FACT, IS IT NOT?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THE POLICING IN AMERICA -- I THINK WE SEE THAT.

WE SEE THIS VERY MISOGYNISTIC.

YOU SEE THE TRAFFIC STOP VIDEOS AND HE CONVINCED THE POLICE THAT HE WAS BEING ABUSED, AND THEN THEY LET THEM GO.

>> Braude: WHEN YOU SAY "LET THEM GO," THEIR INABILITY, EVEN IF THERE IS NOT RACISM, TO COPE WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, WHEN THEY DETERMINED SHE MAY HAVE BEEN THE AGGRESSOR, HE GETS TO GO TO THE HOTEL, AND A WOMAN WHO IS IN CRISIS IS TOLD TO SLEEP BY HERSELF IN HER VAN IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, I THINK MAKING THE ARGUMENT THAT ALL OF AMERICA HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT: DO WE NEED MORE MENTAL HEALTH AND LESS POLICING?

>> CLEARLY, BUT I ALSO THINK WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO INDIGENOUS WOMEN IS AN ABSOLUTE TRAVESTY.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT -- I MEAN, THE AREA WHERE SHE WAS FOUND, WHERE GABBY PETITO WAS FOUND, IS THIS AREA WHERE HUNDREDS OF YOUNG -- AND A LOT OF THEM ARE CHILDREN, YOUNGER CHILDREN.

AND THE RETURN RATE IS ABOUT 20% THAT NEVER ARE RETURNED.

SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT, THAT IS CRAZY NUMBERS.

I'VE READ MORE STATISTICS THAT ARE EVEN MORE UBSETTING,UPSETTING, AND OUR POLICE ARE FAILING THESE WOMEN.

I THINK IT IS TERRIBLE.

>> Braude: IT IS TERRIBLE.

RAQUEL, GETTING BACK TO THE MOTHER YOU MENTIONED A MOMENT AGO HERE, WAS THERE AN ATTEMPT TO REACH OUT TO THE MEDIA?

I THINK IT IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT THE POLICE PAY MORE ATTENTION WHEN THERE IS PRESSURE BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE EYEBALLS ON THE STORY.

WAS THERE A MEASURE TO REACH OUT TO THE MEDIA -- >> I THINK THERE WAS SOME EFFORT.

BUT I THINK IT IS REALLY HARD TO CAPTURE THE MEDIA'S ATTENTION.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON AT ANY GIVEN POINT, YOU KNOW, IF ONE FAMILY IS REACHING OUT FOR HELP, THAT DOESN'T GET THEM VERY FAR THROUGH THE NEWSROOM.

>> Braude: SO STARTING WITH YOU, RAQUEL, AND THEN I'LL GO TO SOMEBODY IN THE MEDIA, MOLLY, HOW DO WE REFORM OURSELVES?

I DON'T MEAN YOU; I MEAN WE.

HOW DO WE BECOME MORE SENSITIZED TO TREATING ALL WOMEN AND GIRLS EQUALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES LIKE THAT?

I THINK A LOT TRICKLES DOWN FROM THAT, INCLUDING THE POLICE ISSUES THAT MOLLY RAISED A MINUTE AGO.

HOW DO WE REFORM OURSELVES, RAQUEL?

>> I THINK IT STARTS WITH INCLUSION.

MOLLY IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT IN THAT I ACTUALLY GREW UP AROUND NEWS STATIONS AND I KNOW VERY WELL THE HARDSHIPS THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR GO THROUGH IN THOSE SPACES.

AND THE LACK OF SUPPORT AND AVENUES THAT THEY HAVE FOR CORRECTION WHEN ISSUES DO COME UP.

AND WHEN YOU ARE COMING INTO A SPACE LIKE THAT AND YOU'RE ENCOUNTERING RACISM IN YOUR WORKPLACE, IF THERE ARE NO SUPPORTS, YOU'RE GOING TO GO ELSEWHERE.

YOU'RE GOING TO TRY TO START YOUR OWN PUBLICATIONS.

YOU'RE GOING TO GO INTO A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SECTOR.

AND THAT HAS HAPPENED.

THAT IS SOMETHING OUR MEDIA NEEDS TO RECKON WITH AND FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, HOW DO WE ACTUALLY ATTRACT AND FAIRLY PAY PEOPLE OF COLOR?

>> Braude: ARE WE GETTING BETTER AT THAT, MOLLY?

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE I'M NOT -- I HOPE WE ARE.

I THINK THERE IS MORE EFFORT TOWARDS IT, BUT WE HAVE A REALLY LONG WAY TO GO.

I MEAN, I THINK IT I REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS GABBY PETITO STORY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY WOMEN -- WHAT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT, TOO, IS THE NEW SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR HAS BEEN WORKING -- HAS A NEW INITIATIVE TO FOCUS ON INDIGENOUS WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED.

I'M CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT.

>> Braude: ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT -- YOU'RE TALKING TO RAQUEL?

>> YEAH, I'M TALKING TO RAQUEL, OF COURSE.

>> Braude: AND WE SHOULD MENTION SHE, OF COURSE, IS THE FIRST NATIVE-AMERICAN PERSON TO SERVE IN THE CABINET OF A PRESIDENT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, RAQUEL?

>> I THINK IT IS WONDERFUL THAT WE FINALLY HAVE REPRESENTATION AS THE LEADERSHIP OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVEN'T IS, QUITE FRANKLY, A BIG PART OF WHY WE'RE IN THIS SITUATION NOW.

BUT BEFORE DEB HOLLAND CAME INTO THAT POSITION, THE ONUS WAS ON NATIVE COMMUNITIES.

THERE WERE PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO WERE SCRAMBLING AND CONTINUED TO SCRAMBLING TO GET DATA BY EACH STATE AND EACH MUNICIPALITY.

WHAT DEB IS DOING IS TRYING TO SUPPORT THE RESOURCING OF A NATIONAL FRAMEWORK THAT CAN CAPTURE THAT DATA.

>> Braude: ONE LAST THING, UNFORTUNATELY WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR BUT I WANT TO GET IT ON THE RECORD, RENEE GRAHAM IN A COLUMN IN "THE BOSTON GLOBE" IS NO CONTEXT IN THIS PET PETITO SITUATION, MEANING TALKING ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND HOW MUCH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAPPENS BETWEEN INTIMATE PARTNERS, NOT JUST SOMEBODY ON THE STREET.

YET ANOTHER LESSON THAT HOPEFULLY PEOPLE LIKE I AND OTHERS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS.

MOLLY AND RAQUEL, I APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS AND TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR DOING THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AT THE END OF THE LONG SCHOOL DAY, SHE WOULD GO AND DANCE 6:00, 7:00 AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: BUT THINGS CHANGED AFTER A FAMILY TRIP TO L.A., BACK IN FEBRUARY OF 2020, JUST BEFORE THE PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN.

>> A GOOD MONTH INTO BEING AT HOME, ELLA STARTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT BEING TIRED ALL OF THE TIME.

I'M SO TIRED.

I'M SO TIRED.

>> IT SORT OF FELT LIKE I WAS CRAZY.

IF I TRIED TO EXPRESS HOW THE SYMPTOMS WERE AFFECTING ME, IT WOULD EITHER FEEL LIKE AM EXAGGERATING OR, YOU KNOW, JUST MAKING THINGS UP.

>> Reporter: ELLA BEGAN TO HAVE DIZZINESS, AND BECAUSE A DOCTOR REQUIRED A COVID TEST BEFORE AN APPOINTMENT, THE FAMILY DECIDED TO HAVE ANTIBODY TESTS AS WELL.

THE TESTS SHOWED HE HE HAD COVID.

>> SHE WAS NEVER SICK.

WE NEVER SAW HER SICK.

AND YET OVER A YEAR OF HER LIFE, WHEN SHE IS AT THE HEIGHT OF HER HEALTH, AND ON PAPER MOSTLY STILL LOOKS REALLY HEALTHY, SHE IS EXHAUSTED AND DIZZY ALL OF THE TIME.

>> Reporter: ELLA IS BEING TREATED AT BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL'S CLINIC FOR CHILDREN WITH LONG COVID.

CLINICS LIKE THEIRS HAVE SPRUNG UP AROUND THE COUNTRY.

HER DOCTOR SAYS SOME PATIENTS, LIKE ELLA, HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH SYMPTOMS FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

>> WE SEE KIDS WITH PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF POST-COVID SYNDROME.

>> Reporter: ERL EARLY ESTIMATES SAY 10% TO 30% OF COVID CASES COULD RESULT IN LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS.

AND THAT LIST OF SYMPTOMS IS ALSO LONG.

LONG COVID PATIENTS OFTEN REPORT COMBINATIONS OF THESE SYMPTOMS.

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHICH KIDS WILL GET LONG COVID.

>> THE SEVERITY OF YOUR INITIAL COVID SYMPTOMS DOES NOT DETERMINE WHETHER YOU'RE THE PERSON WHO WILL GO ON TO DEVELOP LONG COVID.

WE DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE FACTORS.

>> Reporter: BOSTON'S CHILDREN'S DR. ADRIENNE RANDOLPH IS LEADING A NATIONAL STUDY TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT PROTECTS SOME CHILDREN AND MAKES OTHERS SUSCEPTIBLE.

>> IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHY SOME CHILDREN GET LONG COVID, YOU KNOW.

IT IS JUST REALLY HARD TO PREDICT.

AND SO THAT'S WHY, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO TRY TO PREVENT IT, YOU KNOW.

THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO AT THE MOMENT.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW ELLA IS HOPING HER LONG HAUL WITH COVID IS COMING TO AN END.

LIZ NEISLOSS, GBH NEWS.

>> Braude: ALTHOUGH COVID-19 MOSTLY AFFECTS THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM, A SMALL NUMBER OF CHILDREN SUSTAINED HEART DEGENERATE.

THE N.I.H.

SAYS IF YOUR CHILD HAS HAD EVEN MODERATE COVID SYMPTOMS, THEY SHOULD HAVE PROPER SCREENINGS, LIKE A CARDIAC EVALUATION, BEFORE THEY RETURN TO SPORTS.

THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT.

PLEASE COME BACK TOMORROW FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT OF BOSTON'S RACE IN THE HISTORY.

ADAM REILLY AND THE GBH POLITICAL TEAM AND MORE WILL EXPLORE THE HOUSING ISSUES HELPING TO DEFINE THE RACE FOR MAYOR.

THAT'S TOMORROW ON GBH 2, AND ONLINE AT www.

www.WGBHnews.org.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, AND PLEASE STAY SAFE.

Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org