At this week’s NEWNC Public Safety Committee meeting, Boston Police reported that 46 calls were received by District A-1 in the last 30 days regarding loud parties, blasting music and disruptive activities. The North End registered the most complaints followed by Beacon Hill. Police said that college students were largely responsible for the disruption.
The number of complaints averages about 1.5 per day, although most calls are received from Thursday through Saturday. While the incidents are widespread, there are some “hotspots” including one location where 5 complaints were registered and others where 2 or 3 were associated with the same address.
Taking the “party animal” award this month is 94 Prince St. where police broke up a party with over 100 college-aged students. The event took place on October 30, the night before Halloween. The responsible host was cited for disturbing the peace and keeper of disorderly house. Not one to miss an opportunity, the host was also charging party-goers at the door.
Sgt. Lema said that City Councilors Ross and LaMattina are working on some type of policy guidelines for off-campus college students. One of the questions raised at the meeting was whether the intent is to change behavior or discourage student renters. In Beacon Hill, many landlords have simply decided not to rent to college students.
One of the policy guidelines under consideration is to have students sign leases where certain “loud party” terms are included. Under such terms, students would have to pay fines if offenses are reported to police. One suggestion is to have a “3 strikes and your out” clause.
The City’s Problem Properties Task Force cites some success, noting that addresses reported last year are quiet this year. The Task Force includes Councilors Ross & LaMattina as well as community representatives.
Residents can report loud parties to 911 or the Loud Party Hotline: 617-343-5500.
People's behavior usually doesn't change when they aren't motivated and aren't part of a neighborhood. These students are just renting here to be close to school. They don't care about the neighborhood, they don't have roots here and they don't plan on staying. Every year there are new students to mess it up for everyone else. The focus should be on not renting to undergrads.
I concur with what Heather wrote.
I would also add the problem stems fro the overconversion from aprtmetns to condos and the condos didn't sell in the down market. Need to cover the loans gutting the property, new appliance, new flooring, new capeting, elevators etc, the condos got rented out but the rents went too high for working people to afford.
224 Hanover is basically a Suffolk dorm. Anyone know who owns that building? He/she should be taken to task.
224 Hanover is owned by State Financial Services aka PF North End Realty
http://www.statefn.com – this is their website, it shows which properties in the NE they own.
I live at 145 Endicott, one of their buildings – as soon as Sept. rolled around they had so much turnover (students moving in and out) that all of a sudden we had a rodent problem in our building. I also believe the police have been called to a noise disturbance at 149 Endicott, another one of their buildings.
Maybe the name of the company should be given to LaMattina's office and see what the neighborhood can do as next steps. I see guys meeting potential tenants in front of 224 Hanover every August/uly. Very obvious they are renting to 90% students.
Unfortunately, no one can tell a property owner who he/she can rent to in a free society. however….the Mayor and the City Council could possibly exert pressure on the colleges and universities to build more dorms and REQUIRE that students live in the dorms…at least for a couple of years.
On the other hand, I have heard that students are a bit easier to control if the landlord or property manager makes a phone call to the parents. The 21-25 yr olds on the other hand have money to spend, are no longer students so you can't call Mommy and/or Daddy about their behavior, are still relatively immature, and can't handle their liquor worth a damn.
I strongly suspect that Sal Lamatina and the Boston police know who owns these buildings and are building a case to haul the owner into court.
Advisories, Guidelines, Partylines – all which sound great but its all talk and no action. Several times I've had to call, they never show up, and on any given day people can be loud and party. If they do show up to find the party they just walk away allowing the underage kids to keep their beer and party on.