Blog

• 01.02
  2012

  ALERT: Recent Breaking and Entering Incidents in the South End

  Last week, the Saint Botolph Neighborhood Association held a meeting to discuss the increase of breaking and entering incidents in the area. Residential breaking and entering (B&E) has been a recent challenge for the South End. Neighborhoods surrounding Sparrow Park have been the heaviest hit. 

  If you are wondering what a “spike” in activity means, please go to http://www.bpdnews.com/ to get recent data. There are even reports you can use to map where the activity is taking place.

  Info to know about B&E’s:

  -          Primarily occurring during the day

  -          Forced entry can be through the alley or front of building (window or doors)

  -          Beware of all levels of the building – fire escapes, ladders, gas grills, fences, railings, etc. allow access all levels of the building

  -          Bricks used to break windows or doors “kicked” down

   

  What we can do to discourage criminal activity:

  -          DON’T  LET JUST ANYONE IN THE BUILDING

  o   Common way for thief to find out if someone is home is to ring all the buzzers and see who answers

  §  If buzzer rings and its “UPS” make sure you know who you let in

   

  -          Collect mail and UPS/FedEx labels

  o   Newspapers on the stoop or labels on the door announce that no one is home

  o   Be aware of others when you are entering or exiting the building

   

  -          Know your neighbors

  o   Helps you to identify who shouldn’t be in the neighborhood

  o   Have a “look out” system in place – if you are out of town, make a trusted neighbor aware

   

  -          Ensure doors and windows are locked

  o   Shades drawn when appropriate

  o   Lights on when out of town – a light timer is ideal

  o   Leave a porch light on or use sensor lights

  o   If possible, keep items of value out of view from windows (laptops for instance)

   

  -          Beware of local activity

  o   Read local papers

  o   Subscribe to list servs

   

  -          REPORT STRANGE BEHAVIOR

  o   Police have been making RECORD arrests and point out for everyone they do arrest there are others lined up to take his/her place

  o   We are our best defense, there is power in numbers

   

  Who can you call?

  -          Boston Police 911 from a mobile phone: 617-343-4911

  o   Dialing 911 from your mobile phone is routed to State Police

  o   Dialing 911 from your home phone is routed to Boston police as always

  -          Crime Stoppers hotline: 800-494-TIPS

  -          Home Safety assessment line: 617-343-4457

  -          Report broken or unlit city lights: 617-635-3500

  o   Citizens connect iPhone app

  In summary, district 4 is large and is made up of the Back Bay, South End, Fenway and Roxbury. Officers at the meeting stressed we know the neighborhoods and our neighbors the best, if you see something suspicious please REPORT it.  Even if it's not an active emergency, if it's out of the ordinary or you feel your sixth sense  - feel comfortable calling 911. They prioritize calls based on emergencies and non-emergencies, so don't hesitate to use the number.

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