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Beginning November 1, 2022, commercial generators that produce more than 1,000 lbs of food waste per week will be required to reduce or divert their food waste going into the trash. To assist small businesses in Cambridge with this state regulation, the service and carts will be provided by the city at no cost to the participating businesses. Weekly collection is anticipated to start on October 24, 2022.

Residents and community members can organize an event anytime between September 14 and 22, though Sunday, September 15 is the official event day. We are hoping community members will plan events (e.g. cookout, block party, service project, etc.) that can bring together neighbors — in a way that works for them! Did you know that the City of Cambridge offers $300 awards and free Play Streets kits to support neighborhood block parties?

The Cambridge Police Department offers a free Child Safety Seat Installation and Inspection service to help residents properly install car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts. Trained officers inspect seats, provide guidance, and may supply free car seats to families in need, all to ensure children are traveling safely and legally under Massachusetts law.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of MassNotify, a new free smartphone service that people in Massachusetts can voluntarily use to let others know that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Massachusetts remains a leader in the nation in COVID-19 vaccinations, with almost 4 million residents fully vaccinated, and COVID-19 case trends continue to drop. Case counts in Massachusetts are down 99% from their peak in January, and hospitalizations are down by 93% since their peak in January.

The Cambridge Department’s Traffic Enforcement Unit works all year to service the community by enforcing the rules of the road. Our goal is to reduce the number and severity of crashes in the city. Many of the current enforcement programs are a direct response to community complaints regarding speeding and other violations. The Department also spends time educating the public when there are any infrastructure changes, like new bike lanes or traffic patterns. We are committed to fostering greater traffic safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

On Wednesday, October 8, 2025 members of the CPD Command Staff and Honor Guard represented the department as part of the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial’s Thirty-Sixth Memorial Ceremony. The Massachusetts Law Enforcement Memorial is located on the grounds of the Massachusetts State House and pays tribute to the members of law enforcement who have lost their lives in the line of duty. During this ceremony, five members of CPD who lost their lives in the line of duty were formally recognized for their service and sacrifice.

This report examines the feasibility of the City of Cambridge implementing a municipal fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) service and finds that for the City to construct an FTTP network and establish a financially sustainable business—meaning one that covers its costs and generates a reasonable rate of return over a long period—a significant public contribution would be required. In a base-case scenario that applies conservative construction cost assumptions and reasonable revenue projections, the network could require an upfront public capital contribution of $150 million.

911 is for emergencies only. 911 Dispatchers answer both 911 calls as well as general or business calls made to the Cambridge Police and Cambridge Fire business numbers (617-349-3300 for Police and 617-349-4900 for Fire) as well as other public safety non-911 numbers. Reserving 911 for emergencies enables 911 dispatchers to easily recognize and give highest priority to emergency callers while still being able to receive and promptly answer calls for service or non-emergency calls.

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) is working to create a more equitable afterschool application and enrollment process while expanding access for Cambridge families. For the 2024-2025 school year, 1,486 students received an offer to a DHSP afterschool program, with 90% placed in their first choice, and a 7% increase in applicants from the income priority group. DHSP has also added 246 new seats across programs, launched an OST Expansion Study to support long-term growth, and continues to center caregiver perspectives through the Caregiver Council.

Per Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 136, Section 7, a Sunday/Holiday Work Permit must be obtained for any contractor work to be performed on a Sunday or Holiday. SERVICE ADVISORY: The Cambridge Police Records Unit will be open to members of the public, by appointment only, Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Limited fingerprint services will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 9:30-11:30 a.m. Appointments can be made online. For questions or further assistance, please call 617-349-3336 or e-mail.