Public Safety Meeting Addresses Late Night Activity, Crime Stats and Residents Issues

Without much in the way of violent crime reports, October’s Public Safety meeting focused on community involvement with District A-1 Boston Police, including more proactive handling of late night problems in the North End. Leading the meeting were Neighborhood Council Public Safety Committee Chair David Marx, BPD Captain Kenneth Fong, BPD Sergeant James Chin, BPD Lt. Detective Chuck Wilson and Suffolk University’s Rich Grelish.

Boston Police held an overnight public safety walk with the committee in mid-September. Other than a few inebriated pedestrians, the Thursday night walk was relatively quiet. Police stopped at several late night gathering places and parks. Captain Fong noted that the North End is one of the few Boston neighborhoods with an assigned officer walking the streets in the overnight hours. Another late night walk is being planned on a weekend night this month.

There were two aggravated assaults in the last 30 days, both of which were domestic violence incidents. A break-in was reported on North Street that was most likely perpetuated by other tenants within the building, according to police. Two auto thefts occurred in September and there were two larcenies at restaurants where unattended handbags were stolen. A drug arrest was reported outside CVS on Hanover Street. Police recovered a large quantity of prescription drugs in a car waiting outside.

In total, there were seven arrests made during September in the North End / Waterfront area, including the drug and domestic violence incidents noted above. Four arrests were also made for trespassing after hours in the Gassy (DeFilippo Park).

Residents raised concerns about street noise between 2am-4am when the clubs let out. A pending request by Tia’s for a new roofdeck was also discussed.

Hazardous material trucks streets have been sighted cutting through the North End Waterfront during the prohibited daytime hours (6am-8pm), according to a resident. Report hazmat truck sightings to james.chin@pd.boston.gov who will notify the vehicle enforcement unit.

The next North End Public Safety Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2014, 6:30 pm at the Nazzaro Center (30 N. Bennet St.) All are welcome to attend.