Residents Call for Better Police Response

Lack of police response, late police response and the attitude of some police responders was expressed by North End residents at last week’s Boston Police Public Safety meeting held at the Nazzaro Community Center.

Over 50 residents turned out for the monthly meeting with many of them complaining about this situation to Commanding Officer Captain Thomas Lee.

The captain told residents that he would look into these concerns immediately but reminded everyone that responding to 911 calls has priorities and there are times it takes the police longer to get to a scene.

Residents, like a recent poll indicated, want more police in the area to deal with these quality of life issues.  They also requested that police officers get out of the cruisers more often.

On other issues, Captain Lee told residents that their requests from the last meeting have been dealt with.

“Officers have cleaned up the loud motorcycle noise in the area.” Captain Lee noted.

Police have also handled the problem concerning teenage groups gathering in parks, playgrounds and near the Sterite Skating Rink.

“Over the past four weeks two gang car units have been confronting these groups and dispersing them.” Captain Lee said.

He reminded those in attendance that District A-1 Part 1 crime is down 22 percent since January 2013 in the North End.

“That’s the lowest crime numbers in all of the eleven neighborhoods in the district.” he said.  “The North End is still the safest community in the City.”

At a recent North End Chamber of Commerce meeting Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis publically commended Captain Lee and his command for the great job they do in the North End and throughout the district as well.

Quality of life issues appears to be the main concern in the community.

Loud parties, late-night/early-morning problems with people returning home or those leaving bars, lounges and restaurants, especially from outside the community creating disturbances and keep residents up all night.

“A special weekend police detail, paid for by Suffolk University, has been patrolling and responding to these concerns.”Captain Lee said.

Police reports from over the past 30 days show an increase of larceny in the neighborhood from 4 to 14. Aggravated assaults from 0 to 2.

Robberies were down from 2 to 1.  Breaking and entering decreased from 5 to 1.  Auto theft dropped from 3 to 2.  Larceny from a motor vehicle slipped from 15 to 5.

During the same time frame, there were no homicides, sexual assaults, graffiti and community disorder.

There were 24 motor vehicles towed, 86 motor vehicle violations and 225 parking citations written.

Police made five arrests relating to some of the above mentioned categories.

Boston City Councilor Sal La Mattina will be asking the mayor to consider doing a study to make Charlestown and the North End a separate area in District A-1.

The next Public Safety meeting will be held on Thrusday, October 3 at 6:30 at the Nazzaro Center.