Much of last night's discussion focused on NAMBLA.

"We should ban the group from Massachusetts entirely," said the Rev. Doug Whitlow, a candidate for the Cambridge City Council.

After angry parents condemned the group, Dr. Timothy F. Dugan, a psychiatrist at Cambridge Hospital, told the crowd that in his opinion, "NAMBLA does not equal homosexuality," he said.

"That's nonsense," a member of the crowd screamed out.

Speaking later, the man said he "Can't send my son to the corner candy store without a two-way radio. I don't feel safe," he said.

"My son can't go off on the same adventures I did."

"I'm so ashamed to be an American right now," he said. He then left the meeting with his young son.

Other speakers pressed Cambridge Mayor Sheila Doyle Russell and police officials on the issue of safety in general.

Chandra M. Shimizu, 20, who said she spends most of her time with teenagers in East Cambridge, said the city does not do enough to protect its younger citizens.

"You say you want us off the streets," Shimizu said.

"You build us teen centers. Our main concerns [are the streets] from our homes to the teen center...and back home."

"I want to know how you're going to protect us," she said.

In an interview with The Crimson, Russell said tragic incidents like this were rare.

"[Cambridge] is as safe as any other city this size," she said.

Drucilla M. Whiting, 17, said she knew one of the suspects.