Overall crime numbers flat in the North End

Boston Police District A-1 Captain Bernard O’Rourke and Sergeant Tom Lema presented crime information regarding the North End over the past 30 days at last week’s NEWNC Public Safety meeting held at the Nazzaro Community Center.

In general, with the exception of breaking & entering, crime in the community has flattened out. No major crimes like homicide and sexual assault, committed in the North End/Waterfront neighborhood.

Crime Category Statistics

Homicide-1

Sexual Assault-0

Robbery-2

Aggravated Assault-3

Breaking & Entering-5

Auto Theft-2

Larceny of MV-4

Grafitti-0

Community Disorder-0

Towed Vehicles-7

Motor Vehicle Stats

Motor Vehicle Violations-113

Parking Citations-302

The main concern from the well attended public meeting was late night early morning created by what was referred to as college students, young professionals and early morning patrons of local and surrounding restaurants, lounges and bars.

Residents told police that Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays are when most of this nonsense occurs.

One resident said, "These people are not only loud and vulgar, they drop trash all over the neighborhood, throw-up and urinate in doorways."

The majority of residents at the meeting suggested most of this problem generates from local parties and landlords including absentee landlords should be fined.

Captain O’Rourke explained that there is a police patrol on these days from 7pm until 2am. He also advised residents that police and local colleges are working together to stop these loud parties.

"Suffolk University actually has assigned staff to work with police and has paid for police details to help curtail the early morning activities," O’Rourke said.

Boston Police have reportedly issued fines, made arrests and have pursued student punishment from the colleges.

One recommendation from a resident was to fine the colleges. Since the colleges don’t own the property students reside in that idea would not hold any water.

If this was possible every business in the community that has late night, early morning patrons roaming on North End streets would be subject to fines.

This would also include the Coast Guard if their personnel were involved in early morning nuisance.

Then there’s the feast and late night crowds. Do they get fined?

Another suggestion that was recommended was fencing off the alleyways because reportedly there are people using alleyways to drink and use drugs. This is a major problem that deals with emergency access to the back of buildings and it would virtually cut-off emergency access routes for tenants.

Captain O’Rourke reported that five breaking and entering occurred this reporting period. Two on Unity Street on October 6, two on Lewis Wharf on October 2 and 19 and one on Cooper Street on October 5. These are reported crimes.

As they do at every Public Safety meeting, Boston Police advised residents to call 911 as soon as possible to report crimes and disturbances and provide as much information as possible.

The next NEWNC Public Safety meeting will be held on Thursday, November 1 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet Street.