Are you enjoying the unseasonably warm winter weather? So are the criminals. At the February 2, 2012 North End Public Safety meeting, Boston Police reported crime incidents are up 26% in January throughout the district from last year’s snow-driven calm. The increase comes after a 13% drop in District A-1 downtown crime reports last year exceeding BPD’s 10% crime reduction goal.
In the North End, no homicides or sexual assaults were reported in the last 30 days. There were two robberies. The first was on January 10th at 269 Commercial St. where a parking lot attendant was robbed at knifepoint. The robbers made off with $200 in cash. The other robbery was on Fleet St., near Moon St., when a Providence College student was walking at 12:40 am. A robber came up from behind and knocked the student down, demanding $20. The incident took place on January 30th.
There was one aggravated assault outside Joe’s American Bar & Grill on Atlantic Ave. A car pulled up to the valet and refused to turn over the keys, preferring to sit outside. When the valet attendant explained the valet rules required him to move the car, the back window lowered and a man pointed a gun at the victim.
Two break-ins were reported last month. The garage at 600 Commercial St. saw their safe stolen with $275 during the overnight on January 14th. The second breaking and entering report was on February 1st at 237 Hanover St. where cash was reported stolen with no signs of forced entry.
Earlier this week, Police spotted a man selling stolen property on Hanover St. who ran and escaped via rooftops to eventually reach the Sumner Tunnel ramp. Police followed until the man took a “leap of faith” across the tunnel ramp, barely making it to the other side. At that point, police lost sight of the suspect who escaped. However, the suspect apparently dropped an ID.
Three non-motor vehicle larcenies were reported in the last 30 days. The incidents occurred at 561 Commercial St. (stolen license plates), 285 Hanover St. (Uggs boots & Coke) and Parmenter St. at the North End Branch Library where someone signed out a laptop and never returned.
Larcenies from a motor vehicle totaled three, including 185 Fulton (stolen handicap parking placard), Lewis Wharf parking lot (handbag) and the Clinton St. garage (GPS unit). Police continue to remind motorists not to leave belongings in their cars. In addition, a 2011 Volkswagan Jetta was stolen on Richmond St. on January 6th.
Police received reports of 10 loud parties in January, with 3 coming on New Year’s Day. Impacted streets include Unity Court, Clark St., Snowhill St., Prince St., Parmenter St., Fleet St., Hull St., Salem St. and Hanover St. There were no repeat calls from a single address. One resident at the meeting said 23 students exited a party at 31 Parmenter St. after police broke up the celebration.
Boston Police made four arrests in the North End during the past month, three of which are drug-related:
- January 11 – Hanover & Charter St. where a 45 year-old man from Manchester, NH was acting up and arrested for disorderly conduct.
- January 11 – Bartlett Place where the BPD drug unit made an arrest for Class D (marijuana) and Class B (cocaine), intent to distribute. The suspect was from Malden, Mass.
- January 13 – A drug arrest was made at Clark & North Streets where four people were arrested in a car for Cl. A heroin, intent to distribute. One suspect was 67 years old.
- January 26 – BPD made an arrest at 1:10 am for marijuana and heroin, intent to distribute. Suspects hailed from Orange, CT and Westport, MA.
BPD is working on several break-ins in Beacon Hill including entry when residents are home. In addition, police warn of iPhone snatching by thieves, a rising trend and especially prevelant in the area of Downtown Crossing.
Captain Bernard O’Rourke announced that Officer Mark Kurban has replaced Officer Marty Valez on the last half of the night walking beat on Hanover St.
Super Bowl Sunday will bring out a “full collar” of Boston Police. Additional patrols will be assigned to the North End and the area around North Station will be locked down. (Super Bowl Safety Tips for Patriots Fans Looking to Behave Like Champions)
All of the month’s crime statistics are shown on the attached form, including a total of 125 moving violation tickets and 384 parking citations by BPD officers. Officer Roy Garber issued almost 2,000 motor vehicle tickets last year in the North End, the most in the district.
The next North End Public Safety meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 1, 2012, 6:30 pm at the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 N. Bennet St. Boston Police District A-1 encourage residents to attend.
