bostonzest

Tag: community policing

  • Smash & Grab: Broken Windows Cost Us All!

    At one of the first crime watch meetings I attended after moving to Boston, a community policing officer told us that some thieves would break you car window to get a single quarter visible in the cup holder. 

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    After a recent rash of broken car windows on our block, a detail police officer, who happened to be on the scene and spoke to the car owners, told me that the only thing stolen from those cars was change. I've been thinking about that ever since.

    BBS Cover broken windows

    As I walked by a pile of broken glass later that week, I took a few photos with the thought of submitting one as a cover shot for the Back Bay Sun.

    That cover ran this Tuesday with the headline, "Broken Windows." My caption reads, "Shattered auto safety glass is a common sight on the sidewalks of the Back Bay. Last year, more than 700 cases of “larceny from a motor vehicle” were reported in Police District D4. Officials urge drivers not to leave any property in view inside a car including change, clothing, electronics, and bags."

    We All Pay

    While it seems that the car owners just lost change, they also had their planned day rearranged, followed by the hassle of scheduling window replacement. Everyone who pays auto insurance chipped in to pay for that glass repair. The homeowners where the car was parked had to clean up the mess. Finally, those who walked by were reminded of the crime which can have an impact on a person's sense of security.

    Boston-Police

    This led me to research the crime stats to see if this is really as common as it seems to be when you walk around the streets of Boston. Along the way, I found information on the Boston Police Department's "Don't be a Victim!" campaign that is underway in some neighborhoods with high "Larceny from Motor Vehicle" reports.

    Here's a link to the 2015 crime statistics so you can check the neighborhoods where you park. 

    Related Post:

    Broken Bricks Boon to Boston Bandits

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    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino and parking meter and sign courtesy of the Boston Police Department.

  • Boston Dogs Could “Take a Bite Out of Crime” with Dog Walker Watch

    This country has 75 million people who could easily become extra eyes and ears for local law enforcement in the fight against crime. These are the people who are out at all hours of the day and night, in all types of weather, walking their dogs. 

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    Here's a little dog from Cologne, Germany ready to do his part in a crime watch. (Photo by Brian Snelson)

    Dog Walker Watch

    Just think of the crime prevention impact resulting from alerts by hundreds of people who know their neighborhood, notice when something doesn’t look right, and are trained to provide first responders with the information needed to react quickly and safely to the report.

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    This little guy popped up on the National Night out Facebook Page.

    The National Association of Town Watch (the same people who sponsor the National Night Out event each year) has now organized a training program for crime prevention called Dog Walker Watch.

    You and Your Dog Can Be Great Neighbors

    Walk your dog along a familiar route and I’ll bet you notice a lot of little things that those engaged in other activities along the same path might overlook. You know the places where problems with drainage create standing pools of water on sidewalks and at intersections every time we have a heavy rain. You notice the trash cans that are always filled to overflowing. If a walk light doesn’t work or is missing, you spot it.

    The Chicago Tribune interviewed Officer Adam Tabor from Morton Grove, a community that has implemented the program. “It's something we think is worth it, because there is so little effort from both the citizen standpoint and the law enforcement standpoint,” he explained. 

    The National Association of Town Watch provides materials for a training program that takes about 45 minutes. Tabor said, "Now, we can teach them to become more aware and less hesitant to report suspicious activity … so they become our extra eyes and ears in their neighborhood." 

    Training points out things to watch for like open gates or doors that are normally shut. It also teaches people what information to collect, how to report what they see, and to not get personally involved if they notice suspicious activity. 

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    Here's Riley ready to give his professional skills to the training program. (Photo by Scott Miller)

    Lets hope Boston and the surrounding communities opt to organize Dog Walker Watch programs. Contact your neighborhood association. They may already have a committee in place that can help organize a local group. Call Community Policing for your district and ask if there is an existing Neighborhood Watch Program that might expand to include this concept.

    An Unoffical Start

    Even without an official program, you can still call 9-1-1 and report what you see. Be as specific as possible.

    • Give a street address or the nearest intersection.
    • If you can get a license plate for something car related, try to do so. Even a partial plate, the make, model, and color of the car can be of great help to the police.
    • Note and report the direction of flight if you saw someone leave a suspected crime scene.
    • Notice what someone you suspect of wrongdoing is wearing.
    • The person’s height, size, and description of clothing are what will be called out to responders. 
    • Stay on the line with the call-taker if asked to do so.
    • Give your name and number so the responding officer can connect with you if needed.
    • Don’t become physically involved.
    • Call back to cancel the response if the situation changes.
    • Here is much more detailed information on how to report a suspected crime.

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    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography:  As credited under each photo used under creative commons license.

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