A Message from Police Commissioner Kathleen M. O’Toole
This weekend we will once again be celebrating First Night in Boston. First Night is a wonderful event, particularly for families. I encourage parents to attend the events with their children.
As always, we want this to be a very safe celebration. There are a few simple steps everyone can take to ensure that First Night is a safe and happy event for everyone:
We are expecting large crowds again this year, so I advise parents not to send their children into the city unsupervised.
Families should have a plan for members who become separated or lost. They should have an agreed-upon meeting place or a phone number of somebody they can call.
Everyone should dress appropriately for the weather.
There are a number of parking restrictions in place throughout downtown Boston, so I recommend people leave the car at home and take the MBTA into First Night. The T will be free after 8:00 PM on Saturday, and will be running until 2 AM.
Expect traffic diversions at many events such as the Grand Procession Parade in the Back Bay, and the fireworks displays at both the Boston Common and the waterfront
We ask everyone to celebrate responsibly. First Night is a family night. We will not tolerate unruly behavior or public drinking. If there are individuals who do not choose to celebrate responsibly, the Boston Police Department will be on hand.
This means that you can expect to see a large, visible police presence at all First Night events, in particular the Back Bay, Boston Common, downtown and Waterfront areas.
This enforcement effort extends beyond the celebration in downtown Boston. While we are excited about the large number of events downtown, we are not losing lose sight of our priorities in the neighborhoods. Police will also respond to loud parties in our neighborhoods.
There are no specific threats against the City of Boston or our First Night celebrations, nevertheless we always take particular caution during special events. We will be working with a number of our public safety partners including the Boston Fire Department, Transportation Department, MBTA Police, State police, and FBI. We will also have a number of plainclothes officers throughout the crowds monitoring activities.
On behalf of the Boston Police Department, I wish everyone an enjoyable First Night and a very happy and peaceful New Year.
Thank you
For more information, visit www.firstnight .org
Boston Police Incidents for December 31, 2005
614 Blue Hill Avenue Shooting
Last night at 17:09 officers responded to the Hip Zepi Store on a report of a person shot. On arrival, officers found a 24-year-old white-hispanic male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to the Boston Medical Center where he is being treated for a non-life threatening wound. A vehicle has been towed and a search warrant is being executed on the vehicle and an address on Stanwood Street. Two individuals were taken to B-3 for questioning. No arrests have been made. The incident is still under investigation.
Five Arrested on Warrants and Firearms Charges on Dewey Street
Yesterday morning at 09:30 officers from District 2 responded to 6 Dewey Street on a report of an individual wanted on an arrest warrant. On arrival officers found a 16-year-old male with a Probation/Parole Warrant. In the same room was Donnie Reed, 23, of Roxbury who was also wanted on a Dorchester Court warrant for Destruction of Personal Property. He was also found to be in possession of a 40-caliber firearm with a loaded high capacity magazine. Also found in the apartment were a 14-year-old female from Mattapan wanted on two outstanding warrants for ABDW; a 12-year-old male from Roxbury wanted on five warrants for Armed, Unarmed Robbery and other charges. Octavius Maestre, 17, of Dorchester was also arrested on a DYS Probation/Parole warrant. All five were arraigned in various courts.
Two People Stabbed in East Boston
This morning at 03:30 officers from District 7 responded to the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center on a report of two people stabbed. A third victim was also punched and kicked. According to witnesses, Danillo Quintao, 21, of East Boston stabbed a 26, and 39 year-old, hispanic male from East Boston. He also punched and kicked a 39-year-old male from East Boston at Shelby and Princeton Street. All three were treated for non-life threatening injuries, and Quintao was arrested and will be arraigned in East Boston District Court on Tuesday.
Seaver Street Gun Arrest
Armed with information, members of the C-11 Drug Control Unit froze an apartment while applying for a search warrant at 286 Seaver Street in Roxbury. At about 19:30, officers entered the dwelling and informed Henry Jurdan, 47; of Roxbury that the apartment was being frozen while a search warrant was obtained. Jurdan asked officers if he could use the phone. The officers allowed Jurdan to use the phone at which time he attempted to open a bureau drawer where a firearm was located. He was placed under arrest and transported to District 2. He will be charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
Biker Arrested with Firearm
Members of the Youth Violence Strike Force arrested Grant Headley, 17, of Dorchester for firearms violations last night at about 22:30. Police observed Headley riding his bicycle on Harvard and Greenwood Street. When Headley observed the police he fell of his bike and began to flee on foot. Officers recovered the suspect and a loaded .38 caliber firearm.
Have a Safe and Happy New Year
South Boston Juvenile Arrested for Manslaughter
At 10:30 this morning, Boston Police Homicide Investigators along with officers from District 6 went to 178 W. 8th Street in South Boston and arrested a juvenile charging him as a Youthful Offender for Manslaughter.
On August 26, 2005, 40-year-old homeless man, Mario Acosta Chavez was found outside 56 F Street suffering from head trauma. He was taken from the scene to Boston Medical Center and was pronounced dead on August 27. His death was ruled a Homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The juvenile was taken into custody at his home pursuant to an arrest warrant, without incident and was arraigned today in Boston Juvenile Court.
A second individual, 17-year-old Thomas Grealish of South Boston was charged in August with assault in connection with the attack on Acosta and is currently in custody. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Investigators Seek Information
On Wednesday August 16th, 2000, 20-year-old Michael Love of Dorchester was standing with a group of males outside 20 Fowler Street in Dorchester. Just before 11pm that night, two men walked up to the group and after a brief conversation, one pulled out a handgun and fired. Love was shot and killed.
This investigation is active and Homicide Detectives encourage anyone with information about this murder to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470 or to remain anonymous the Crimestoppers tipline at 1-800-494-TIPS.
UPDATED CRIME DATA
Please click the links below to view updated crime data in the City of Boston for the time period of Janunary – December 29th, 2004 vs. 2005.
View Data on YTD Part One Crime (Two Pages PDF – Download Adobe Reader)
View Data on YTD Shootings (PDF – Download Adobe Reader)
View Data on YTD Firearm Arrests (PDF – Download Adobe Reader)
View Data on YTD Recovered Firearms (PDF – Download Adobe Reader)
Victim Identified in Lenox Street Homicide
Last night at 18:01 officers from District 4 responded to a radio call for shots fired and a person shot in the Shawmut Avenue and Lenox Street area. On arrival officers found three people suffering from gun shot wounds across from 79 Lenox Street in the South End and one person with gunshot wound on Shawmut Avenue. All four were transported to local Boston hospitals. Three of the victims were treated for non-life threatening wounds. Police have identified Rodd Hunt, 26, of Boston as the City’s 75th homicide. The other three victim’s names will not be released.
Homicide detectives are currently investigating this homicide. No arrests or suspects have been identified in connection with the homicide and no motive has been determined. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470 or the Boston Police Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS.
Boston Police Incidents for December 29, 2005
Five Arrested in South End for Robbery
Last night at 23:30 officers a 58 year-old male from Boston reported that a group had knocked him down and robbed him of $100.00. The suspects fled from Carleton and Yarmouth Streets toward Massachusetts Avenue. Northeastern University Police observed the group in the Carter Playground and stopped all five suspects. Two other incidents of robberies were reported to the police with these suspects fitting the description of the people wanted. All three victims’s responded to the area and positively identified all five suspects. Found on one of the suspects was the $100 bill robbed from one of the victims. All five were placed in custody and transported to District 4. Arrested were: 17 year-old Jason Coutain, of Roxbury, a 15-year-old male from Roxbury, a 14-year-old male from Boston, a 13-year-old male from Dorchester and a 15 year-old male from Roxbury.
Two Women Assaulted in Roslindale
At 18:00 hours last night a 17-year-old female from Roslindale reported to police that while leaving a nail salon located at Washington Street and Metropolitan Avenue and entering her friends car, a female suspect grabbed the car door, opened it, and tried to pull the victim out. The suspect then kicked the victim in the face and spit in the driver’s face. The victim was able to close the door and flee from the area. The suspect followed the victim’s vehicle and when they stopped at District 18, the suspect fled in an unknown direction.
Speeding Violation leads to OUI and Firearm Arrest
This morning at 03:54, 27- year-old Anthony Hazzard was observed operating a 2000 Cadillac on Blue Hill Ave and Babson Street at a high rate of speed. Officers were able to stop the vehicle and when speaking with the operator detected a moderate odor of liquor from him as well as glassy red eyes, and slurred speech. The officers asked the operator to exit the car to conduct a field sobriety test. When the operator stepped out of the vehicle the officer observed a firearm at the suspect’s feet. Hazzard was placed under arrest and will be arraigned in Dorchester Court this morning.
Update from Deputy Superintendent Daniel Coleman on Bournside St. Homicides
Boston Police Homicide Detectives continue to investigate the quadruple homicide that occurred on Bournside Street this month. We are investigating a number of leads, primarily focusing our efforts in Boston, but we have not ruled out the fact that information about this incident will be found outside of Boston. Our efforts thus far have been aided by information being provided by the public. We encourage anyone with information about this incident to contact the Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470 or Crime Stoppers at 800-494-TIPS
Operation Patriot
Members of the District 1 Drug Control Unit, Officers assigned to Area A, members of the Youth Violence Strike Force and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office initiated an undercover operation after complaints of drug dealing in the Charlestown neighborhood. Operation Patriot began six months ago using undercover officers making a series of undercover drug buys.
This morning, officers obtained a search warrant out of the Charlestown District Court for the arrest of Alton Hanscom, 42, of Charlestown. Armed with the warrant, officers responded to 21 A Dunstable Street in Charlestown this afternoon to serve the warrant and arrest Hanscom. Officers made a peaceful entry and while in the dwelling, observed a large amount of pills in plain view. Officers arrested Alton Hanscom, 42, and Mark Hanscom, 19, both of Charlestown. A search warrant was applied for, granted and served at the Dunstable Street apartment. Recovered and seized from the apartment were: seven hundred seventy seven- 80 milligram Oxycontin pills; two hundred- 40 milligram Oxycontin pills; one ecstasy pill; $5600.72 in United States Currency and one 1996 Ford Explorer.
Both Hanscom’s will be charged with Trafficking over 200 grams of a Class B substance. They will appear in Charlestown Court tomorrow morning where they will be arraigned.
Four People Shot on Lenox Street
Tonight at 18:01 officers from District 4 responded to a radio call for shots fired and a person shot in the Shawmut Avenue and Lenox Street area. On arrival officers found three people suffering from gun shot wounds across from 79 Lenox Street and one person with gun shot wound on Shawmut Avenue. All four were transported to local Boston hospitals. Three of the victims are being treated for non-life threatening wounds. One has been pronounced dead. No identifications or ages are available at this time.
Homicide detectives are currently on scene. No arrests or suspects have been identified in connection with this incident and no motive has been determined. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470 or the Boston Police Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS.