Boston Fire Department Summer and Barbecue Safety Tips
Propane Gas & Charcoal Grill Barbecue Safety   more »

Captain Frank Mancini, Commander of District 7, has released a pair of advisories that deal with safety and security in ...   more »

"America's Night Out Against Crime"   more »

On Saturday, July 10th, staff from the Community Service Office at District D-4 along with community residents worked together to clean 42 Harrison Archway in the BHA's Cathedral Housing Development. The building is 13 stories high and houses many long-time, elderly residents. The group started at the top and cleaned right down to the bottom including perimeter of the building. Officers cleaned graffitti, scrubbed dorways and removed unwanted debris from the hallways. Many residents came out of their apartments curious to know what the rukus was all about but all were happy to see the end result. This effort further demonstrates the commitment of BPD personnel to the overall well-being of Boston residents. Great work D-4!

Fields Corner Main Streets in conjunction with the Boston Police Neighborhood Watch began it's effort to organize local businesses in/around Fields Corner on Thursday, May 20th.  Evelyn Darling, ED of FCMS along with Carolyn MacNeil from the BPD's Neighborhood Watch Unit and Tram Tran and PO James Chin from C-11's Community Service Office visited local businesses to discuss the benefits of creating a Business Watch program.  The outreach was kept very targeted and focused on the immediate area surrounding the square at the junction of Adams Street and Dorchester Ave.  The concept was very well recieved and most owners said that it was about time. 

The second phase will take place in the next two weeks with an eventual followup breakfast for all business owners who are interested and committed to rolling out this program and getting it off the ground.  With the recent organization of the St Marks Area Main Streets Business Task Force and Business Watch it is our desire to connect the entire business community along the Dorchester Ave corridor. 

If you are interested in the Business Watch program contact BPD Neighborhood Watch at 617-343-4345.

The Ashmont Grill was host to the kickoff of the Peabody Square Business Watch and the St Marks Area Main Streets Business Task Force yesterday morning.  Commissioner Davis spoke to the attendees, which included local merchants, business owners, elected officials, law enforcement members and those interested in starting their own program.  The Commissioner spoke about the significance of collaborating in support of our mission of community policing.  He also spoke about the connection between safe business districts and safe neighborhoods and the Broken Window Theory, which suggests that if small quality of life issues are not addressed that they pave the way for more significant, and potentially violent, crime. 

A small group has been working for the last two months to coordinate efforts among the businesses from Mercier Street to Melville Ave. with a focus on communication, information and collaboration.  Informational binders were put together and handed out to merchants as a resource guide and prototype for other groups.

There has been tremendous feedback and we want to thank all who attended!

Be Heard, Be Informed, Get Connected, Get Involved!

This Saturday, February 13th join the City of Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission, East Boston NoDrugs Coalition and concerned neighbors at the Harborside Community Center at 312 Border Street for an informational and educational event on the issue of substance abuse.  The event runs from 10am to 2pm and will be a way for residents to ask questions and get answers to an insidious and widespread problem that effects individuals, families and neighborhoods.  The Neighborhood Watch Unit will be attending and will have information available on how YOU can get involved in your neighborhood.

Business members of the Peabody Square/Ashmont area in Dorchester along with St Marks Area Main Streets met this morning to discuss implementing an organized Business Watch in their local business district.  "The idea has been tossed around for awhile but unfortunately has never taken hold" said Dan Larner, Executive Director of SMAMS.  A number of recent incidents along with an increase in loitering, aggressive panhandling, skatebording and lack of cleanliness has prompted business owners, managers and employees to rally around the idea that an organized group of individuals can make an area inhospitable to crime and more hospitable for business.  The Neighborhood Watch Unit has also presented to Hyde Park and Dudley Square Main Streets.  We, along with our many partners, look forward to getting this preventative program off the ground! 

Shown here is Carolyn MacNeil, Director of the Neighborhood Watch Unit and Sgt John McNulty of District E-13.   more »

     On Tuesday, December 29, 2009 @ about noon, a 38 year old white male broke into 19 Wheeler St, Somerville. Wheeler St. is a side street off of Mt. Vernon St. Shortly after the break, the female homeowner arrived and observed the suspect in her home. She immediately dialed 911 and gave an excellent description of the suspect to the Somerville Police dispatcher. 

 

     Within seconds, several Somerville cruisers spotted the suspect fleeing on foot toward Charlestown via Perkins St. Somerville P.D. contacted Boston P.D. and the Transit Police for assistance. Laura Johnson of Brighton St. saw many of the police cruisers in the area and began making phone calls to alert neighbors of suspicious behavior, not knowing what had transpired several streets away in Somerville.

 

    A short time later, the Somerville Police Chief and one of his deputies arrested the suspect who was hiding under a car on Brighton St. They brought the suspect back to the scene of the crime for a " ShowUp. " Once the victim identified him as the suspect that had entered her home, he was given a free ride to the Somerville Police station and booked on several felony counts. 

 

   This case highlights the need to remain vigilant in watching out for each other's property. The suspect in this case gave his home address as Franklin St., Somerville. However, he is a known Charlestown resident. 

 

    Keep up the good work ............And don't hesitate to call the police if something appears suspicious.......

 

Thanks everyone!

 

Two new groups have formed in the E-13 Jamiaca Plain area.  The Southbourne and Woodbourne area has begun to organize because of the recent spate of car breaks.  Many neighbors turned out for a meeting on December 15th.  They are in the process of getting an email list together and trying to get a person on each street as a block captain. 

The other neighborhood watch group is in/around the Chestnut Street area including Forbes, Chestnut, Sheridan and Beecher St's.  This group has rallied and gotten together because of a number of robberies in the neighborhood.  Residents are concerned, wanted to get more involved and learn what they can do working together and with the police.

Welcome and we look forward to supporting your neighborhood efforts to make JP a safer place to live!  

As part of a re-branding of the Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit to the more inclusive Neighborhood Watch Unit we have come up with a new slogan! 

"Working Together, Finding Solutions, Making a Difference"

Please contact us and start making a difference today!

The BPD Neighborhood Watch Unit is partnering with, and supporting, the Neighbors for Neighbors networks in the City of Boston.  We believe it to be another avenue for information sharing, collaboration and education.  The official launch party for Neighbors for Neighbors will be held on October 24th from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Milky Way in Jamaica Plain.  Please join residents, neighbors and city officials.

As part of the launch, "The Neighborhood Challenge" will commence.  This is a contest to get as many people involved and signed up across the city.  The Neighborhood Watch Unit encourages participation at all levels in order to make your neighborhood safer.  This is your city get involved! 

 

The 26th annual National Night Out for Boston is a citywide celebration that cultivates and strengthens partnerships between the community, youth, police, city agencies and community-based organizations. The event also acknowledges the contributions that Neighborhood Watch groups make to Boston's safety and it fosters community participation.

 Each of the 11 Police Districts will host a celebration.

There will be block parties hosted by Neighborhood Watch groups across Boston.

There will be two award ceremonies: one will honor the Top Ten Neighborhood Watch groups and the Crime Fighter of the Year, and the second will honor the poster/essay contest award recipients.

---

WILD ABOUT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT!

Please join us, as well as the expected 10,000 community members, in participating at the Franklin Park Zoo Gathering on Tuesday, August 4th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.

Neighbors are encouraged to attend and enjoy the evening activities that include: Beverages from Honest Tea and Cookies from Late July. Entertainment by the Elma Lewis Playhouse in the Park, Radio Disney, Camelia Latin Jazz and gospel choir Ashmont Hill. The event will feature sponsor tents and giveaways from Target and Tedeschi. Festivities will also include information made available by BPD's Neighborhood Watch Unit, The Mayor's Office of Emergency Preparedness, The Department of Correction, Suffolk County Sheriff's Office, MA HealthNet Plan and Neighbors for Neighbors. Other attractions for community members to enjoy include Zoo Encounters, the ReadBoston Storytelling Van, and Facial Expressions face painting.

This years National Night Out 2009 Poster Contest was a great success.  With this years' theme "Street Safe Boston" we recieved over 400 posters and we had 15 schools participating.  We also incorporated an essay component to this years contest and those who submitted were asked to articulate what Street Safe Boston meant to them.  The essays were thoughfully written and demonstrated how important safety and security is to young people.  The winning posters will be displayed at City Hall throughout the next two months and the winners will be invited to an award reception at Boston Police Headquarters on July 31st from 10am-noon.  Winners will be contacted soon.  We thank all participants! 

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) infection have been identified in the United States and internationally. As of Wednesday, April 29, two cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Massachusetts; there are no confirmed cases in Boston. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is working closely with state and federal health officials to increase surveillance and will continue to monitor the situation closely.

Swine influenza (swine flu) is flu virus in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu; however, human infection can happen. Symptoms are similar to regular flu and include sudden fever, cough, muscle aches, headache, chills, and general weakness. Some people have also had diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms can range from mild to severe.

Residents can take steps to protect themselves.

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue every time you cough or sneeze. Then throw the used tissue in a waste basket. If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your upper sleeve.

Clean your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. You can also use alcohol-based hand cleaner.

Do not go to work or school if sick. Stay home when you are sick. It is recommended that you stay at home for 7 days after you first get sick or for 24 hours after your symptoms have gone away, whichever is longer.

Try to limit contact with others to keep from getting them sick.

Information and Resources

For more information about swine flu and what the Commission is recommending, please read our our Swine Flu Fact Sheet <http://www.bphc.org/programs/Fact%20Sheets/CDC/Infectious%20Diseases/SwineFlu_FS_English_2009.pdf> and Frequently Asked Questions <http://www.bphc.org/programs/Fact%20Sheets/CDC/Infectious%20Diseases/SwineFluFAQ_FS_English_2009.pdf>. These documents are available in multiple languages in the right column of this page. Resources for health care providers, such as posters, are located at the bottom of this page. Residents can also follow us on Twitter <http://twitter.com/BosPublicHealth> and Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Boston-MA/Boston-Public-Health-Commission/47308341278>. Multilingual videos are available on our YouTube channel <http://www.youtube.com/BostonPublicHealth>.

The World Health Organization <http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html> (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control <http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/> (CDC) are frequently updating their websites with swine flu information and guidance. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health <http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/> (MDPH) provides statewide updates, including a blog and podcasts.

Carolyn MacNeil

Director

Neighborhood Watch Unit

Boston Police Department

20 Vine Street

Boston, MA. 02129

Dear Neighborhood Watch Group Leader,

 

I am writing on behalf of Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral. Sheriff Cabral who is the 30th High Sheriff of Suffolk County and is currently serving a six-year term to which she was elected in September 2004.

 

Sheriff Cabral has made a commitment to the citizens of Suffolk County that the Sheriff’s Department will be an active community partner. Although we are not first responders such as the Boston Police and Fire Departments, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department does have an active role in public safety. Since last year, our staff has visited with over ninety community-based groups and organizations across the neighborhoods of Suffolk County introducing programs we run and our role in public safety.

 

I would ask that your neighborhood watch group allow our staff to introduce the Sheriff’s Department during an upcoming meeting. Please contact me at 617.961.6672 so that I may work with you to schedule a convenient time for one of our staff members to attend.

 

I would like to thank you in advance for the opportunity to attend a meeting and for all the hard work being done by your members to help make Suffolk County a better place to live.

 

Sincerely,

 

Edward Geary, Jr.

Deputy Director

Communications and External Affairs

Suffolk County Jail

Tel:  617.961.6672

Fax: 617.961.6750
E-mail: egeary@scsdma.org

Good Morning,

On behalf of the Neighborhood Watch Unit, and in conjunction with the Boston Public Health Commission, I want to invite you to join us this Saturday, March 28th for a kickoff event to "Walk and Watch". What better way to join your neighbors, get some exercise and look at what's going on in your neighborhoods. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to call our office at 617-343-4345! Hope to see some of you then!

Regards,

 Carolyn

Please read the following attachment flyer for more information! Thank You!

As many of us know, one of Boston's famous traditions is the St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston. This parade is held every year the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day. Due to increasing public drinking and problems, the Boston Police are cracking down on problems via a technologically savy approach. Police personell are utilizing the internet tool "Twitter" to monitor the days events. If you are attending the event, please be curtious and respectful to the residents of South Boston and follow all typical rules and regulations of the City of Boston.

The following is an except from the article:

"A crime-blotter blog. E-mail alerts. Anonymous tips via text message. Now comes the next high-tech weapon for the Boston Police Department: A sergeant in the emergency dispatch center has been experimenting with Twitter, the micro-blogging tool that facilitates group conversations in 140-character bulletins to subscribers via computers and cellphones."

Read Mentioned Article here:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/12/police_to_alert_public_with_twitter_dispatches/?s_campaign=8315

           May 8, 2009 SUBMISSION DEADLINE

 What: The 21st Annual National Night Out Poster Contest run by the Neighborhood Watch Unit of the Boston Police Department.

 

For whom: All children between the ages of 5 and 18 enrolled in any school, community center, library, before and after school program, or any adult coordinated youth activity program/group in the City of Boston are eligible.

 

Theme: "Street Safe Boston."The theme of the 2009 Boston Police Neighborhood Watch Unit’s poster contest is “Street Safe Boston”. Each artist is to show how their school, neighborhood and/or everyday life represents a safe Boston. The 12 contestants will be selected as winners will be awarded a gift card and invited to meet Mayor Menino and Police Commissioner Davis at the Boston Police Headquarters in Roxbury. A Grand Prize Winner will be revealed and honored with a pizza party for their Art class.

 

Prizes: Three Winners will be selected from four grade categories: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. Art work will be judged on quality, theme, originality and message the Artist is conveying. Notification is made to students and teachers during the school year. All entries will be judged and the put on display. Show your Boston pride by entering! We look forward to viewing your work!

 

Poster Suggestions: Any drawing or painting materials or combination thereof (crayon, paint, pencil, etc.) on paper. Collages of magazines or newsprint are not permitted. Bold colors are encouraged. Posters may be submitted on either a 11"x17” or 12"x18" sheet of paper. Also, artists should attach to backa one page essay or poem which entrants will describe how crime prevention and neighborhood watch participation can effect their environment.

 

Deadline: Friday, May 8, 2009, 3:00 P.M. Mail/deliver to The Neighborhood Watch Unit at 20 Vine Street, Charlestown, MA 02129

 

Important: Posters must be accompanied by a completed entry form securely attached to the back of posters. (If entry form is unavailable, simply provide student's name, complete address, telephone, school, grade, teacher's or adult coordinator's name and summer telephone number on a page attached to the back of the poster).

  

 

Register today by visiting or calling

Neighborhood Watch Unit, Boston Police Department

www.BostonCrimeWatch.com

617-343-4345