June 25, 2009

By Rick Winterson

The Recent Beatings

According to the staff at Station C-6, three “persons of interest” were apprehended, as a result of the investigations into the two senseless beatings that took place in April and May (reported on Online’s April 30, May 14, and May 21 issues).  The police said that two of the three were minors, so information on them is being held confidentially.  But they are being watched.  In addition, the police said that one of these “persons of interest” is now wearing a locator bracelet on his ankle, making his whereabouts known at all times.  Station C-6 expressed confidence that this will go a long way towards cleaning up the problem.

South Boston Online received many letters in response to those reports.  Some of them referred to the habit of hanging out in front of convenience stores after dark.  One writer mentioned seeing brass knuckles in the possession of one of those hanging out.  Another recalled other beating incidents going back to 2006.  Several asked for much severer punishment – no probation instead of jail, please!  Others asked for more on-the-streets police presence, either in cruisers or on foot.

One responder pointed out that the cowards who are ganging up on the victims will eventually ruin their own lives.  They won’t be able to work or live here – nobody will give them a break; nobody will have anything to do with them.  The police will have them under frequent surveillance, so they’ll end up hanging out in some other town.

Some Crime Figures

During the four weeks in May, 71 “Part One” crimes were reported in South Boston (Part One crimes include robberies, break-ins, and violent events).  Continuing the pattern that has generally prevailed for the last year or two, thefts of the items inside parked cars is the largest single category – 23 incidents out of a total of 71, which is one-third of them.

That trend has continued during the first ten days of June.  Out of approximately 40 incidents reported, 20 – half of them – were thefts from cars.  In a few cases, the items stolen were wheels.  The cars were jacked up, placed on blocks, and the wheels and tires were taken.

Prevention is simple.  Do not leave purses, wallets, or spare change in your car when you leave it.  Electronic devices will tempt thieves, and dashboard-mounted GPS devices are the most frequently stolen items.  Stow them in your trunk; wipe the dashboard so no trace of the GPS device is visible.

If you see anything suspicious or unusual, call 9-1-1 at once (617-343-4911 on your cell phone).  Don’t wait; don’t second guess yourself.  Just do it.  After the 9-1-1 call, contact Station C-6.  Insist upon speaking with the Duty Supervisor.  Tell him or her that you have already called 9-1-1.  It was that type of vigilance that put an end to the home break-ins early this year.

A Precaution

A “Damsel in Distress” made the rounds in many local stores a few weeks ago.  She “calls home” about an emergency, and then “borrows” $20, claiming she’ll pay it back the next day.  She apparently tells a good story, but are you surprised our “damsel” never returns?  Instead of giving her, just call the police.  They’ll help her if she truly needs it.

Your thoughts.