Year to year crime numbers down in North End

Year to year crime figures are down about three percent in the North End according to Boston Police Area A1 Captain Bernard O’Rourke.

O’Rourke also told residents at last week’s NEWNC Public Safety Committee monthly meeting that over the past 30 days there has been no major crime in the area referring to homicides, sexual assaults and armed robberies.

One of the categories that was significantly lower was car break-ins which went from 12 to 4. Break-ins occurred on Commercial, Medford, Salem and Endicott Streets with the usual theft of laptops, GPS equipment and cameras.

Four break-ins of homes also took place during the 30 day time frame. Two on Widget Street and one on Salem and Hull Street. Once again targeted items were cameras, laptops, cam-corders and in one case coins.

Captain O’Rourke advised residents that Boston Police and the Attorney General’s Office have formed task forces to look into handicap placards being stolen and/or misused.

Boston Police are investigating several assault situations that have occurred on Commercial and Hanover Streets.

Two men claimed that at least 12 people assaulted them on Commercial Street about 2:10am.

A male subject reportedly punched his girlfriend in the nose on Hanover Street near the Fire Station.

An incident involving two taxi drivers at the Battery Wharf Fairmount Hotel almost turned out to be a brawl and one driver, reportedly, almost hitting some people when he attempted to leave the scene.

Reportedly one of the drivers attempted to pick-up the fare randomly even though the other driver was called for the pick-up.

One man from New Hampshire was arrested for speeding on Hanover Street. He was reportedly traveling 65-70 miles per hour. He and his girlfriend abandoned the vehicle on Charter Street where the arrest was made.

Residents asked the Captain to look into a drinking situation at Polcari playground and a firework situation in DeFillippo playground on Prince Street.

They also reported to police that a group of young adults were in front of the North End Library several times with a loud radio at about 12 to 1am.

Residents advised police that the trash pickers opening trash bags for returnable bottles and cans has become a problem. Residents claim there are 25-30 of them working the community, usually after 7pm on trash days and they open the bags take what they want but don’t close the bags leaving a mess on the sidewalks and streets.

Officer Ted Boyle attended the meeting that was chaired by David Mark.

There is no Public Safety Committee meeting scheduled for August.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday, September 2 at 6:30pm in the Nazzaro Community Center.