On Thursday, December 5, Curtis Hall in Jamaica Plain hosted the monthly police and community relations meeting organized by District E-13 of the Boston Police Department (BPD).
Every month, Officer William Jones from the Community Service Office and Captain John Greland update the community about local crime statistics from the previous month. They also take the opportunity to provide common sense advice for how to prevent crime and to answer questions from community members. Also invited to these meetings are officials from MBTA’s Transit Police and Massachusetts State Police.
Officer Jones provided copies of a chart comparing the year-to-date Part One crime statistics from 2019 with those from 2018. District E-13 saw an overall 10% decrease in Part One crimes in 2019 compared to 2018. Officer Jones said that 2019 was on track to be the district’s “best year” in the past decade.
According to the chart, in 2019 there were 846 reported Part One crimes in Jamaica Plain, down from 936 this year. Crimes that saw an uptick in 2019 included rape and attempted, non-domestic aggravated assault and residential burglary. Crimes that saw a decrease in 2019 include homicide; robbery and attempted; domestic aggravated assault; commercial and other burglary; larceny; and auto theft.
Residents in attendance expressed concern over the presence of oversized trucks and other large rigs on streets that prohibit such vehicles. Officer Jones reported that the E-13 team was aware of the situation and was on the lookout for violations. He said that the majority of the cases they had come across so far involved drivers with legitimate reasons to access those roadways, such as servicing a residence or business.
Another concern was package theft. During the holiday season, more people have items delivered to their homes, including high-priced electronics and valuable toys. Unfortunately, leaving parcels unattended on a front stoop or inside a storm door can create the perfect opportunity for a thief to make off with your iPhone or your Baby Yoda. Residents are cautioned to only receive boxes in secure locations. Leave instructions for your mail carrier to deliver all packages to a side door, back porch or other location not visible from the street. The BPD also urges residents not to leave parcels unattended in motor vehicles.
Officer Jones also provided an update on a November 27 shooting on South Street near McBride Street where the window of Happy’s Market and a white pickup truck sustained damage. The BPD recovered spent shell casings and is now searching for two males who were observed fleeing the scene.
The police and community relations meeting is on the first Thursday of every month at 6:30pm at Curtis Hall at 20 South Street. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 2. A Spanish language version of this meeting is also held on the second Thursday of every month at 6:30pm at 155 Lamartine Street. These meetings are open to the public and all interested residents are encouraged to attend.