Community Alert: Boston Police Investigating Reports of Several House Breaks in the Neponset/Ashmont Neighborhoods of Dorchester
Detectives from District C-11 (Dorchester) are investigating five incidents in which homes were broken into in the Neponset/Ashmont sections of Dorchester. The breaks occurred between December 14th and December 16th during the hours of 9:00pm and 3:00am. In all five incidents, the suspect or suspects attempted to gain entry through either a first floor or basement window.
The incidents occurred at the following locations:
At about 9:20pm, on Friday, December 14, 2012, officers responded to a call for breaking and entering in the area of Boutwell Street. Victim says the suspect broke into a vacant 1st floor apartment and nothing was stolen. Victim was unable to provide an accurate description of the suspect.
At about 10:52pm, on Friday, December 14, 2012, officers responded to a call for a breaking and entering in the area of Lombard Street. Victim says he was home at the time of the break and was able to scare the suspect off. Victim says nothing was stolen and he was unable to get a good look at the suspect.
At about 11:00am, on Saturday, December 15, 2012, officers responded to a call to take a report for a breaking and entering in the area of Magdala Street. On arrival, officers spoke to a victim who stated that he discovered a broken window in his basement and believes someone tried to gain access to his basement between the hours of 11:00pm on Friday (December 14, 2012) and 10:00am on Saturday (December 15, 2012). Victim reports nothing was stolen.
At about 3:06am, on Saturday, December 15, 2012, officers responded to a call for a breaking and entering in the area of Tolman Street. Victim says she awoke to her dog barking. Upon further investigation, she discovered that her rear porch door had been unlocked and various pieces of lawn equipment, which had been stored under the porch, had been strewn about the yard. Victim says it appears nothing was stolen.
At about 2:05am, on December 16, 2012, officers responded to a call for a breaking and entering in the area of Mather Street. On arrival, officers spoke with victim who stated that she was asleep when she heard a noise in her residence. When she went to investigate the noise, the victim states she observed and confronted two black teenagers who fled upon seeing her.
Detectives from District C-11 (Dorchester) are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding these incidents. Anyone with information is encouraged to call District C-11 detectives at (617) 343.4335.
Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of those who wish to remain anonymous.
Tips for Keeping Your Home Safe:
- A strong door is a good door. Solid wooden doors or doors reinforced with steel offer greater protection than hollow core wooden doors.
- Use safe locks. Adding quality deadbolt locks to your exterior doors adds and provides greater security to your residence.
- Lock your windows especially those that are easily accessible to unwanted intruders. Windows on the first floor or basement levels should always be locked.
- In a single family home or a multi-dwelling building, the outer hallway door should always be locked. Access to the inner hallway, provides access to anyone who seeks to break into your residence.
- Know your neighbors and keep an eye out for them and their property. Consider having a neighbor or friend watch your home when you’re on vacation.
- Consider joining or organizing a Neighborhood Crime Watch group. For more info on how to join, call (617) 343.4345.
- Call 911 to report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.
- Call your local district station and request a home security analysis.
ATTENTION SHOPPERS: IMPORTANT HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS (Brochure Attached)
BOSTON POLICE OFFER THE COMMUNITY HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS
The holidays are a special and joyous time of year. It is also a time when individuals need to be alert to the possibility of crime. The Boston Police Department encourages individuals to take simple precautions to ensure a happy and safe holiday.
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can easily create a distraction for people. However during this festive time, it is important to pay special attention to the things going on around you. The holiday season can create opportunities for burglars, pickpockets and shoplifters.
Thieves love the holidays as much as everyone else, especially because it’s an opportune time for crime.
The Boston Police Department believes you can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware. Please share these safety tips with your family, friends and neighbors. We ask you to remember these simple safety precautions and enjoy excitement of a safe and happy holiday.
The attached Holiday Safety brochure provides some tips on how to celebrate safely this holiday season, including:
- If You Are Traveling
- If You Are Out for the Evening
- If You Are Hosting a Party
- If You Are Attending a Party
- Protecting Your Vehicle
- If You Are Shopping
- Take a Holiday Inventory
- Celebrate Responsibly
Click on link to read the Boston Police Holiday Safety brochure — happy holiday safety .
Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity: Shop with a Cop is Back!!!
Stop by the Target Store at the South Bay Mall for ‘Shop with a Cop 2012′ which kicks off tomorrow night (12/12/12) at 6:00pm. Over 150 kids will be in attendance. For those unfamiliar with ‘Shop with a Cop’, click on the enclosed link for video of last year’s celebration.
Bringing Out the Best in All of Us – Members of the BPD Doing their Part to Make a Little Boy’s Christmas Wish Come True!!!
Merry Christmas Nathan!!!
Approximately a week ago, the Boston Police Department learned about of the story of Nathan Norman. For those unfamiliar with the heartbreaking story, Nathan is a little boy in Rustburg, Virginia battling terminal brain cancer. And, for those of us who are parents, the heartache and sadness associated with news that a son or daughter may not live to see a 7th birthday is almost too hard to imagine and something all of us certainly hope and pray we never ever have to confront or encounter. That said, Nathan has a super simple Christmas wish this year that members of the Boston Police Department, and police departments across the country, are working hard to grant. When Nathan’s parents asked him what he wanted for Christmas this year, 6 year-old Nathan Norman told his parents, “All I want for Christmas this year is Christmas cards. Christmas cards from police officers, firefighters and EMT’s.”
That’s all he wants. So, with the intent of fufilling Nathan’s Christmas wish, at about 12:30pm today, Tuesday, December 11, 2012, Commissioner Ed Davis asked members of the Boston Police Department to gather with him for a group photo to be used in a Christmas card for Nathan. Said Commissioner Davis, “As a parent of three, my thoughts and prayers go out to Nathan and his parents. The decision to gather for today’s photo for Nathan’s Christmas card was an easy one to make. I hope he enjoys the card and I really hope Nathan and his family have a wonderful Christmas. God bless them.”
If you’re a police officer, firefighter or EMT wanting to send Nathan a Christmas card, his address is as follows:
Nathan Norman
81 Dunivan Drive
Rustburg, Virginia 24588
To visit Nathan’s facebook page, click on the enclosed link:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nathans-Christmas-the-PAGE/524809367544885
Remembering the Women that Blazed the Trail for Female Officers in the BPD – Tonight’s Lecture a Big Hit!!!
West End Branch Library
Tonight’s lecture (12-06-12) at the West End Branch of the Boston Public Library about the trail-blazing women of the Boston Police Department was one certainly worth seeing and hearing. Department Archivist Margaret Sullivan and Sgt. Detective Kim Gaddy delivered a comprehensive presentation relative to the contributions made by women serving in the Boston Police Department between the years 1921 – 1972. The presentation, titled ‘Boston’s Fairest: The First 50 Years of Women in the Boston Police Department, was well attended and well received. The presentation begins with the year 1921 when six highly courageous women embraced the chance and opportunity to, not only become the first female members of the Boston Police Department, but to also pave the way for all those who followed.
Said Sgt. Detective Kim Gaddy, “As a female officer, I am keenly aware of and greatly appreciative of
Talking about Boston’s Fairest
the sacrifices made by the women who came before me. I can only imagine the sacrifices made, difficulties endured and challenges overcome by the original six back in 1921. Their story needs to be told and I’m grateful that Margaret and I have the opportunity to tell it.”
Said Margaret Sullivan, “I am most impressed at how hard these women worked. They were well educated and hard working. Nothing was given to them. Promotions and upward mobility were non-existent and, in spite of a playing field that was tilted against them, these women remained dedicated to the department and the citizens they served. Armed only with their wits and a badge, they took on jewel thieves, bootleggers, gangsters and fugitives. In addition to being wives, mothers and police officers, they were pioneers.”
Making History: A Conversation with the BPD’s First Hispanic Captain
On October 12, 2012, the Boston Police Department held a promotional ceremony in which Deputy Superintendent Al Andres was promoted to the rank of Captain. In addition to making Captain, Al Andres made history. With the promotion, Andres became the 1st Hispanic Captain in the history of the Boston Police Department.
Community Alert: Boston Police Increase Patrols After Robberies near Dorchester MBTA Stations
Boston and Transit Police are stepping up patrols and alerting the public after several Dorchester area robberies. All of the robberies targeted women walking home from the MBTA Red Line stations, including JFK-UMass, Savin Hill, Shawmut and Ashmont.
The incidents have occurred between the hours of 7 pm. and 10:30 pm. In some of the incidents, the suspect, described as a black male with a thin build, age 20-30, wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and showed a handgun. The male suspect has engaged victims in a brief conversation before demanding money.
The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is asked to call District-11 Detectives (617) 343-4335.
Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of those who wish to remain anonymous.
Personal Safety Tips:
• Don’t assume it can’t happen to you. Crime can happen to anyone at any time.
• Avoid walking alone late at night. Walk with a friend whenever possible.
• Always be aware of your surroundings, especially, at night.
• Walk with confidence and never let anyone violate your personal space.
• Travel in well-lit and populated areas.
• Carry a cell phone but don’t become distracted while talking on it.
• Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.
• Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and be observant of passing vehicles.
• Call ahead to your destination to notify loved ones that you’re on your way home. Provide a specific time that you expect to be home by so, in the event you fail to arrive on time, loved ones will know to begin looking for you.
• Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.
• Keep a whistle within reach. If you feel threatened, use it.
• Yelling “fire,” “help,” or “rape” are ways of drawing attention and alerting people that you need help.
• If an unarmed attacker confronts you, believe in your ability to scare, distract or even incapacitate the attacker enough to escape.
• Trust your instincts. If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk towards an open store, restaurant or residence.
Suffolk University’s Leadership Program Graduates 31 BPD Supervisors
Graduating Class
On Monday, December 3, 2012, thirty one members of the Boston Police Department completed Suffolk University’s Certificate Program in Public Safety and Leadership. The Certificate Program is designed to arm police and civilian supervisors with the leadership tools needed to effectively motivate, support and inspire all those that they manage and supervise.
Said Commissioner Ed Davis, “I’d like to congratulate and commend all of tonight’s graduates. Your being here and participating in this program says to me and the citizens of our fine city that being the best at what you do is important to you. Supervising and supporting people is a challenging task but, hopefully, the lessons learned in the program will render that challenge less daunting. As leaders in the Boston Police Department, much is expected of you. Your ability to motivate and inspire those you supervise directly impacts our ability to effectively deliver services to the citizens of our fine city. What you do is hugely important and your decision to participate in this program is greatly appreciated.”
The curriculum included and covered course work in the following areas:
- Strategic Decision Making
- Leadership Challenges
- Assessing Needs & Evaluating Program Outcomes
- HR Management
- Budgeting & Financial Management
Boston Police Relief Association Honors the BPD’s Best & Bravest
Boston Police Relief Association’s Awards Banquet
On Sunday, December 2, 2012, the Boston Police Department’s Relief Association hosted and held the department’s 141st Annual Awards Banquet at Lombardo’s in Randolph to honor and recognize members of the department for bravery, courage and dedication to duty. This year fifty three members of the department were recognized for their acts of heroism and bravery.
Said Commissioner Ed Davis, “I’d like to thank and congratulate all of this year’s award recipients and their families for their dedication and devotion to the citizens of our great city. Today is about saying thank you to the bravest of the brave. The countless acts of courage and valor displayed by the officers being honored here today is most impressive and certainly worthy of the recognition bestowed.”
Of the fifty three awards presented this year, the department’s highest honor, the Schroeder Brother’s Memorial Medal, was presented to Detective Ken Autio and Police Officer Chris Carr. On September 7, 2011, Detective Autio and Officer Carr were forced to exercise deadly force in their effort to subdue and stop a fleeing felon.
Additionally, the Walter Scott Medal of Honor was presented to Police Officer Charles Moore. On July 9, 2012, Officer Moore chased down and apprehended an armed suspect in the area of 46 Jacob Street in Dorchester.
The courage displayed by all of this year’s award recipients was extraordinarily notable and, for their service, we are extraordinarily grateful.
To all of this year’s award recipients and police officers everywhere, we say, “Thank you for keeping us safe.”
Growing a ‘Stache for a Good Cause
Great ‘Stache!!!!!!
In an effort to raise funds for the BPD’s Annual Shop with a Cop event, members of the Crime Scene Response Unit recently decided to participate in a moustache growing contest. All funds raised during the contest will be directed towards and donated to the Shop with a Cop program. The contest has been running throughout the month of November and Lieutenant Detective Darrin Greeley says it’s all about helping out a great cause, “The guys in the unit were looking for a way to do some good during the holiday season and since the month of November is known for facial hair growing contests, we thought we’d take the opportunity to raise some money for Shop with a Cop. Most of the moustaches are pretty dreadful. But, it’s less about looks and more about helping some kids and making a difference during the holiday season.”