At the February North End public safety meeting, Boston Police reported a sharp decrease in crime incidents, largely because of the harsh and snowy winter weather.
“The bad guys don’t like going out in this weather,” said District A-1 Captain Bernard O’Rourke. “And neither do the good guys,” he added, referring to potential victims. January crime statistics for the North End area showed a 36% decrease from last year with only 9 reported incidents.
Boston Police reiterated their goal for 2011 is a 10% crime reduction versus last year. The City of Boston is down 29% through January, although much of that decrease is also attributed to the bad weather.
In the North End during the last 30 days, there were reports for 1 robbery, 1 stolen car, 2 larcenies and 5 towed vehicles. There were no homicides, assaults or burglaries. Police gave out 159 moving violation tickets and 346 parking citations.
Robbery on Fleet Street
On Saturday, January 15th, a robbery was reported near 12 Fleet Street at 11:30 p.m. where a Boston University student was approached from behind. The victium, a 21 year-old woman from the South End, said that a man, 5’ 8” with a medium build told her, “Give me your purse or I’ll stab you.” Stolen was cash, camera and identification. The victim was bruised on the knees but otherwise unhurt. Police said it was unusual to see a robbery on a busy Saturday night near Hanover Street.
There were two car break-ins in the last 30 days, one on Parmenter St. and the other on Snow Hill St, where the back windows were broken. The common denominator continues to be iPod and GPS units left in cars.
A stolen car was reported missing on January 8, 2011 on Atlantic Avenue. The car was a 1996 Mercury Sable.
Police noted a drug arrest in North Square. They received assistance from a Park Ranger covering the Paul Revere House. The arrest was made after midnight on January 9th and the suspect was 45 years old from Revere.
Loud Noise Complaints
In the last 30 days, police received noise complaints from 125 Salem St., 153 Salem St. (twice), 436 Hanover St. (drinking out front) and 28 Fleet St. In preparation for Spring when noise complaints tend to increase, police said their strategy is to add extra patrols. Officers have been trained to be more organized in collecting data and filling out loud party complaint forms. Residents should call 911 to report excessive noise or the loud party hotline, 617-343-5500.
Resident Questions & Answers
- Prince St. resident Mark Paul asked if landlords can add riders to leases giving them the right to evict based on noise complaints. Police were not sure of the legal technicalities, but noted that landlords in Beacon Hill have been successful in tightening up rental agreements.
- Mr. Paul is also a member of the Problem Properties Task Force and said that Councilor Michael Ross has found a 1992 ordinance where written complaints to Inspectional Services regarding students can force landlords to hire security. It was unclear how the specifics work, but the Task Force is doing further research.
- NEWRA President Stephanie Hogue said she received reports of neighbors hearing noise from restaurant patrons as they walk to their cars. She said that many do not report the complaints since they are trying to get back to sleep.
- Police noted that the City’s Office of Licensing placed a temporary rollback on Kitty O’Shea’s on State Street due to several violations and gang activity with large scale fights.
- Captain O’Rourke said they are using a recent list of North End Alcohol Licenses, compiled by NEWRA, to track the capacity of late night establishments in the neighborhood.
- In answer to a question about reported bomb threats at the Coast Guard base, Police said they no additional information but believe the reports may relate to LNG tanker deliveries in Boston Harbor.
- A resident reported that a car regularly blocks a handicap ramp at the top of Cooper St. (on the Salem St. corner). Police said they would increase enforcement.
The next North End public safety meeting with District A-1 Police will be on Thursday, March 3rd, 6:30 p.m. at the Nazzaro Center, 30 N. Bennet Street.
View the NE/W Community Calendar for more meetings and events.
