MEDIA ADVISORY / PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
BOSTON BALLERS YOUTH BASKETBALL AWARDS CEREMONY
WHO: Boston Police Officer and League President Fred Lane.
WHAT: The Boston Ballers is a non-profit youth basketball league that has been in existence since 2004. Boston Police officer Fred Lane is the league founder. On Saturday, August 1, 2009, the league celebrates the end of its summer season with trophy presentations and championship games.
WHERE: Iacono Park, Readville Street, Hyde Park, Mass
WHEN: Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 9:00am – 12:00pm.
BOSTON 24: A LOOK AT THE LAST 24 HOURS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON
A look at the last 24 hours in Boston, from Thursday, July 30, 2009 through 10am, Friday, July 31, 2009. (See recent Daily Incident summaries and earlier postings for more detailed descriptions of some of the incidents identified below).
Homicides: 0
Non-fatal Shootings: 1
Non-fatal Stabbings: 0
Street Robberies: 2
Commercial Robberies: 2
Bank: 0
Other: 0
Vehicle Thefts: 2
Vehicle Recoveries: 4
Breaks: 13
Residential Break-ins: 6
Commercial Break-ins: 1
Note: the information above is preliminary information, and should not be considered official crime statistics. The information is based on an initial review of incident reports and may not be a comprehensive listing of events. It is not a statistical analysis, but rather an initial tally of significant events. Some of the incidents included may be covered in more detail in other blog postings
MISSING PERSONS ALERT:
BOSTON POLICE SEEK PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN EFFORTS TO LOCATE MISSING PERSON
The Boston Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in their efforts to locate a person who has been missing since July 23, 2009. The missing person in this case was last seen leaving his home in the area of 266 Seaver Street in Roxbury.
The missing person is described below:
Name: Juan Figueroa
Sex: Male
Age: 20
Race: Black Hispanic
Height: 5’9”
Build: Slim
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Special Characteristics: Victim has a goatee and tattoos on both his right hand (‘BM’) and right forearm (‘PAPO’).
Incident Description:
At about 12:56pm, on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, officers from Area B-2 (Roxbury) took a report for a missing person. According to the missing person’s mother, her son was last seen near their home, in the area of 266 Seaver Street, on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at approximately 10:00pm. The missing person’s mother says that her son, Juan Figueroa, suffers from a mental illness, possibly schizophrenia.
Anyone with information regarding this person or her whereabouts is asked to please contact Area B-2 (Roxbury) detectives at (617) 343-4275. Community members who wish to remain anonymous can either call CrimeStoppers at 1(800)494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463).
BOSTON 24: A LOOK AT THE LAST 24 HOURS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON
A look at the last 24 hours in Boston, from Wednesday, July 29, 2009 through 10am, Thursday, July 30, 2009. (See recent Daily Incident summaries and earlier postings for more detailed descriptions of some of the incidents identified below).
Homicides: 1
Non-fatal Shootings: 0
Non-fatal Stabbings: 0
Street Robberies: 4
Commercial Robberies: 1
Bank: 1
Other: 0
Vehicle Thefts: 0
Vehicle Recoveries: 2
Breaks: 18
Residential Break-ins: 5
Commercial Break-ins: 2
Note: the information above is preliminary information, and should not be considered official crime statistics. The information is based on an initial review of incident reports and may not be a comprehensive listing of events. It is not a statistical analysis, but rather an initial tally of significant events. Some of the incidents included may be covered in more detail in other blog postings
DEATH INVESTIGATION AT 75 MARION STREET
On Sunday, July 26th around 6:10AM, officers from District A-7 (East Boston) responded to 75 Marion Street in East Boston for report of a man bleeding.
On arrival, officers were met by EMTs who were already on scene attending to the victim who was suffering from an undisclosed injury. The victim, a 27-year-old Hispanic male was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital via ambulance for further medical attention. The victim, after arriving at the hospital, was stabilized for some time but succumbed to his injuries last night , July 29, 2009 and was pronounced.
The Boston Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident and urges anyone who may have information to contact the Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470. Individuals who wish to provide information anonymously may do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or texting ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department stringently protects the identity of all who wish to remain anonymous
DAILY INCIDENTS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009
No Curfew but a Warrant Will Keep You in the House
Last night, Wednesday, July 29, 2009 around 10:44PM, officers from District D-4 (South End) were on patrol in the area of Newbury Street when they observed an individual standing in front of 73 Newbury St. pressed up against the glass.
As officers approached the individual, he appeared to become alarmed and immediately started walking away from the window. Officers made note of the suspect’s behavior due to a number of burglaries that had occurred in the area by virtue of the front windowpane glass being broken. Officers circled the block to continue to monitor the area and again observed the same suspect standing again in front of 73 Newbury St. pressed up against the window. Again, the suspect became alarmed when e observed officers and attempted to walk away.
Officers then stopped their cruiser and approached the suspect to conduct a threshold inquiry. The suspect, when officers approached him, asked officers if there was a curfew in the area. Officers told him that there was not a curfew but due to several recent breaks in the area and his behavior, they’d be remiss in their duties if they didn’t conduct at least a threshold inquiry. Officers requested identification from the suspect and ran his information on the MDT (Mobile Data Terminal). The information revealed that the suspect, Peter A. Escott, 36, of Medford had an outstanding warrant for Breaking and Entering in the Nighttime, and as such was arrested and transported to the district station for booking.
Another Firearm Recovered
Around 11:04PM last night, officers from District B-3 (Mattapan) arrested suspect, Dana C. Sams, 32, of Dorchester and charged him with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Possession of a Loaded Firearm and Operating a Motor Vehicle after Revocation.
Officers were on patrol in the area of 1583 Blue Hill Ave. when they responded to the rear of the Avenue Tavern as part of their patrol duties. There, officers observed a car with its engine running with someone inside. Aware of complaints of drug use in the area and the fact there are posted “no trespassing, no loitering” signs posted in the back of the building, officers approached the car to conduct a threshold inquiry. As officers approached the suspect immediately tried to get out of the car and walk away. Officers stopped the suspect and immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana on the suspect and emanating from the car. During the stop, officers could clearly observe that the suspect was shaking and demonstrated other signs of nervousness. Based on the smell of marijuana, the suspect’s location and his conduct, officers asked him if there was anything on him that he should not have. The suspect answered officers’ question and told them that he had a bag of marijuana on his person. Officers then asked the suspect id he had anything else on his person and he did not respond. At this same time, officers checked on the suspect’s information and determined that his license was revoked. Officers then conducted a cursory check of the suspect’s motor vehicle which revealed a loaded firearm.
The suspect was then arrested and charged with the above offenses and issued a citation for the marijuana.
Late Night Fireworks Lands Two in Jail
This morning around 2:09AM, officers from District D-4 (South End) responded to the area of 233 West Newton St. for a report of fireworks. Boston Police Operations had received numerous calls regarding fireworks along with several ShotSpotter notifications.
On arrival, officers were greeted by several people who complained about people “putting on their won fireworks show.” Officers were then directed to the rear of West Newton St. and there saw three spent fireworks tubes laying on the ground along with two live tubes on a table in the rear of 233 West Newton Street. Officers then knocked on the rear door of the basement apartment to further investigate, and received no answer. Officer then felt the doorknob and discovered the door to be open and unlocked. When the door opened officers noticed a male and a female on a couch surrounded by fireworks similar to the ones that had been observed outside.
Officers then entered the apartment and asked the occupants who had been setting off the fireworks. One of the two individuals replied and exclaimed to officers, “Fireworks? No fireworks here.” Officers then attempted to obtain information from the suspects in order to issue a city ordinance violation for disturbing the peace, but the suspects then became belligerent and refused to provide their information to officers. One of the suspect s then fled inside bathroom and attempted to lock herself in her bathroom. Suspect, Kai Zimmerman, 42, of Brunswick, NJ was arrested and charged with Disturbing the Peace and Possession of Fireworks while suspect, Suzanne Stuhler, 31, of Boston was arrested and charged with Disturbing the Peace, Possession of Fireworks and Resisting Arrest.
Statements from Police Commissioner Edward Davis
News Conference on July 30, 2009
Thank you all for being here today. We are also joined by several guests and I would like to thank them for their continued support and participation. Joining us here is Minister Don Muhammad, Karen Payne from the NAACP, Michael Kozu from Project Right and Detective Larry Ellison from MAMLEO.
On Tuesday July 28th the Boston Police Department placed Officer Justin Barrett on administrative leave pending the outcome of a termination hearing. On that day I was made aware that this officer admitted to being the author of correspondence which included repulsive racial slurs.
At that time and after a meeting with command staff, I moved immediately to take action and the officer was stripped of his gun and badge.
I was presented with a set of facts and believed that the appropriate and only response was to place the officer on administrative leave and set the wheels in motion for a full investigation. The officer is entitled to his due process and we will see that process through. There will be a thorough internal affairs investigation and hearing process which will lead to a termination hearing scheduled in the next week to ten days.
The Boston Police Department has a top to bottom commitment to community policing. Community Policing is based on trust. This type of venomous rhetoric is severely damaging. Maintaining our community relationships is paramount to our mission to serve the citizens of Boston.
We all work with the community and have made great strides to earn their trust. We must not allow this action to affect those relationships that have been forged and the progress we have made over the years.
The Boston Police Department is committed to a standard of excellence. Our community rightly has high expectations for us. It is a standard that the community deserves and we are required to meet. Officer Barrett’s actions do not comply with those expectations.
Barrett’s email was racist and inflammatory. These racist opinions and feelings have no place in this department or in our society and will not be tolerated.
Barrett’s comments were directed at Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates. I regret the direct insult toward Professor Gates and have personally reached out to him to apologize for this offense and inform him of the Department’s immediate efforts to make this officer accountable.
I have also asked that in the coming days, members of the department reach out to those in the community that we serve, and extend ourselves to others, to reiterate our commitment to them, our citizens and to improving relations at all levels.
As I have stated in the past, I am very proud of the Officers and civilians of this Department who carry out their duties in the finest traditions of the BPD. We will not allow the unacceptable actions of one member to define who we are as a police organization. This Department has over 2,000 uniformed officers and 700 civilians who conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism. I applaud your integrity and continued hard work.
As a department, we must learn from this most unfortunate incident and move forward.
BOSTON 24: A LOOK AT THE LAST 24 HOURS IN THE CITY OF BOSTON
A look at the last 24 hours in Boston, from Tuesday, July 28, 2009 through 10am, Wednesday, July 29, 2009. (See recent Daily Incident summaries and earlier postings for more detailed descriptions of some of the incidents identified below).
Homicides: 0
Non-fatal Shootings: 0
Non-fatal Stabbings: 0
Street Robberies: 9
Commercial Robberies: 2
Bank: 1
Other: 0
Vehicle Thefts: 4
Vehicle Recoveries: 6
Breaks: 24
Residential Break-ins: 5
Commercial Break-ins: 2
Note: the information above is preliminary information, and should not be considered official crime statistics. The information is based on an initial review of incident reports and may not be a comprehensive listing of events. It is not a statistical analysis, but rather an initial tally of significant events. Some of the incidents included may be covered in more detail in other blog postings
DAILY INCIDENTS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
Scooter Robbery Suspects Don’t Get too Far
Around 2:47PM yesterday, an officer performing a detail near the intersection of Dudley and Magnolia Streets was approached by the victim of a robbery who told the officer that he was just assaulted and his scooter taken from him by three males.
The officer immediately broadcast the information given to him along with the descriptions of the suspects to Operations and other assisting units. Officers were able to gather from the victim that he was riding his scooter on Dudley St. when he was stopped by three black males two of who are known to him. The victim told officers that one of the suspects approached him from behind and punched him in the head then the two others joined in the assault and punched all over. The victim then provided officers with names and descriptions for the two suspects known to him and a description for the third suspect.
Officers searched the area for the suspects and while doing so came upon and individual matching one of the suspects riding the described stolen scooter. Officers topped the suspect, Tyson Jenkins, 20, of Dorchester and arrested him charging him Unarmed Robbery, and Assault and Battery after he was positively identified by the victim. The second suspect, a 16-year-old male juvenile from Dorchester was subsequently located and arrested and charged with Unarmed Robbery, and Assault and Battery. Officers were unable to locate the third suspect but were able to get identification on him and as such will seek a warrant for his arrest.
Attempted Bank Robbery Suspect Arrested
Yesterday afternoon around 5:00PM, officers from District A-1 (Downtown Boston) arrested suspect, Joseph Campbell, 45, of Boston and charged with Attempted Bank Robbery.
The incident started around 3:59PM when officers responded to the Sovereign Bank at 125 Causeway St. for a report of a silent bank alarm. On arrival officers learned that the suspect had walked in the bank and approached a teller and demanded money by exclaiming, “This is a robbery, g give me $2,000.00 in large bills, no alarm and no police!” The teller reported to officers that she pushed the panic alarm and told the suspect that she did not have that large of an amount of money in her drawer. According to the victim, the suspect then fled the bank on Canal St. in the direction of Haymarket Square.
On arrival, officers received a description of the suspect from the victim teller and from a customer who witnessed the suspect leaving the bank. A description of the suspect was broadcast along with his clothing and direction of flight. Based on further information officers were able to develop evidence leading them to believe that the suspect lived in the area. Around 4:30PM, officers were able to get video surveillance from the bank and determined from speaking with nearby security officers that the suspect may live at 25 Staniford Street.
Officers and detectives then went to 25 Staniford St. to further investigate found the suspect who told officers that he was sorry for scaring the teller and that he would have given back the money if the teller had given it to him. While still there, officers recovered both the hat and shirt that the suspect had worn during the attempted robbery.
Bad Behavior Lands Two in Jail for Lewd and Lascivious Conduct
This morning around 1:20AM, officers from District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to 1127 Harrison Ave. for an alarm call.
On arrival, offices observed an individual from the side door area of the building. This individual was stopped and questioned as to what he was doing there. The man informed officers that while walking by the building he had observed a man and woman by the side by the side and ramp door. Officers then went and investigated the man’s story and there observed an unclothed woman engaged in sexual activity with a man on the ground.
The two parties, Delma Walters, 47, of Dorchester and Willie Mack, 53, of Boston were arrested and charged with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior.
CRIME DATA – January 1st – July 26th, 2008 vs. 2009
Please click the links below to view updated crime data in the City of Boston for the time period of January 1st – July 26th, 2008 vs. 2009.
View Data on YTD Part One Crime
View Data on YTD Shootings
View Data on YTD Firearm Arrests
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