Founder of NorthEndWaterfront.com, hyperlocal community "news & views" serving Boston's North End, Waterfront and Downtown. Also, photographer at MattConti.com and editor of NorthEndBoston.com.
Police & Fire

Police Alert: Theft from Motor Vehicles

The Boston Police have issued a special alert regarding a dramatic increase in the number of thefts of property from motor vehicles. The North End/Waterfront is in Area A-1 which has experienced a 38% increase in theft. The police consider this a preventable crime, primarily caused by owners leaving valuables in sight (i.e., GPS, laptops, etc.).

COMMUNITY ALERT

 

Boston Police Report Increase in Theft from Motor Vehicles

BPD Offers Prevention Tips for Motor Vehicle Break-ins

 

From January 1, 2009 to July 1, 2009, statistics indicate that 5 out of 12 Boston Police Districts are reporting an increase in the number of Larceny from a Motor Vehicle. Seven districts have reported a decrease in the number of thefts from motor vehicles. This has resulted in a 6% increase of motor vehicle break-ins citywide.

Police & Fire

Weekly Boston Police Journal Log

Assault & Battery 07/04/09 3:02am Male victim reports being assaulted leaving a Hanover St establishment. Victim states he was punched in the head and face by several male suspects. Larceny in Building 07/04/09 10:00pm-11:00am Victim reports her purse and contents as well as a cell phone were removed from her Powers Ct. apartment by one Read More…

Arts & Culture Community Event Notices Health & Environment

Comment Letter Opposing Large, Sponsored Greenway Events

Our new Greenway parks are at risk of being “rented-out”. As discussed in a previous post, the Greenway Leadership Council (GLC) is reviewing draft guidelines for the Greenway’s Public Programming, Special Events and General Use. Approving these “rules & regulations” is one of the most important functions of the GLC as assigned per State legislation. Chapter 306 of the Acts of 2008 created the GLC as a governing body over the private, non-profit Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy. A list of current GLC members can be accessed here.

Are large, sponsored events the future of the Greenway Parks?My comment letter strongly opposes the “renting out” of the Greenway parks for large, semi-private events that could destroy the parks and the hurt the character of the North End/Waterfront neighborhood. Turning the Greenway into an outdoor convention center goes against the desired public use nature of these long-awaited parks. Click here for a PDF version of my comments.

The GLC is accepting public comments through July 15, 2009 before considering the final version of the guidelines at their next private meeting. I hope you will take a minute and submit your own comments via email to: comments@rosekennedygreenway.org.

It is a good idea to cc/copy your comments to public officials. Their emails can be found on our Resources/Links page.

Anyone is welcome to copy/paste parts of my letter at the link below.

Business Community Event Notices Real Estate

Upcoming Neighborhood Meetings

A few reminders for upcoming neighborhood meetings in the next week: Thursday for NEWRA, Monday for NEWNC and Tuesday for FOCCP. See the Calendar for all upcoming meetings & events in the North End/Waterfront community. NEWRA-North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association Thursday, July 9, 2009, 7:00pm Nazzaro Center, 30 N. Bennet St Click here for complete agenda Read More…

Community Real Estate

B&T: Menino Halts Development Decisions Until After November Election

All the proposals, meetings and comment letters for new development may be for naught, at least until after November. According to a Banker & Tradesman article (subscription required), Mayor Menino will halt decisions on any controversial developments until after the November election. In and around our neighborhood, we have three major projects on the drawing Read More…

Health & Environment Schools

Marine Mammal Center Opens to the Public at New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium opened the $10 million open-air Marine Mammal Center which is free to the public on the Harborwalk around the aquarium. The New Balance Foundation contributed $3 million of the cost and received naming rights. Northern fur seals are the main attraction as they swiftly skim the harbor water in a shallow Read More…

Arts & Culture Community Event Notices Health & Environment

Greenway Events Create Controversy at Leadership Council Meeting

At issue during the last Greenway Leadership Council (GLC) meeting was how the Greenway Conservancy will handle events, from small-scale community/school activities to large private/corporate convention-like events. This meeting on June 25th was the first without the Conservancy and dedicated to reviewing draft guidelines for the parks. The draft guidelines will cover pretty much everything Read More…

Real Estate

The Boston Harbor Association Comments On Chiofaro Plan – OK With Height?

The Boston Harbor Association’s influential Vivien Li commented on the Chiofaro proposal in a Banker & Tradesman piece titled “Chiofaro Plan May Be Welcome At Waterfront.” If you are a B&T subscriber, you can read the entire article. Regarding height, TBHA appears to be less concerned than others going above the current 155 foot zoning Read More…

Event Notices

Paesan’s License Leaving North End?

According to a June 25th legal notice, Bianca Gianna Enterprises of 76 Salem Street has filed to transfer a beer/wine license to the Upper Crust at 1330 Boylston Street with an 11:30 pm closing time. The location on Salem Street was previously known as Paesan’s. The action follows an auction by Century Bank which had Read More…

Real Estate

5 Tileston St Deck OK’d by Board of Appeals

John Pagliuca, of 5 Tileston Street, received a “sustained” decision by the City’s Board of Appeal on July 1st that allows him to maintain a raised deck that was disputed by an abutter at neighborhood meetings earlier in the year. Pagliuca applied for a building permit and zoning relief for a 10-foot by 11-foot deck Read More…

Police & Fire

Weekly Boston Police Log – July 2, 2009

July 2, 2009 – Weekly Boston Police Journal Log Noted Incidents: B&E Res. 06/27/09 12:55am Fulton st. resident reports unk. person entered through a bedroom window and removed numerous pieces of jewelry and fled the residence. Det’s to follow up incident. Willful & Malicious Destruction of property 06/27/09 2:41am Male suspect arrested inside of a Read More…