Domestic aggravated assault and car breaks are up
In what will be the Boston Police Department’s last crime stat report before the end of the year, the report shows overall crime is down in E-13 (Jamaica Plain). However, domestic aggravated assault and larcenies from motor vehicles are up 48.5 percent and 33 percent respectively.
Part One Crimes, the more serious crimes the Boston Police track, are down 12 percent overall in the area when comparing Jan. 1 2020 through Nov. 8 2020 with the same time period last year.
By this time in 2019 there were only 35 domestic aggravated assaults but that number has increased to 52–a 48.5 percent increase.
“There is no excuse for domestic violence,” said the BPD in a statement. “With community members encouraged to stay home to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the Boston Police Department recognizes the impact that COVID-19 is having on families in our community and the fact that some may find themselves confined with an abuser. This isolation can mean danger for some members of our City. Make no mistake, you are not alone and no one deserves to be abused. To those in need of help, there are resources available to you. Please reach out if you, or someone you know, is in need of help or safety planning. In the case of an emergency, CALL 9-1-1.”
Police said residents can also contact Domersitc Violence organizations like the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence; Association of Haitian Women in Boston/ Asosiyasyon Fanm Ayisyen nan Boston (AFAB); Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC); Casa Myrna Vasquez; or the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS).
It seems the number of motor vehicle largencies, an opportunistic crime that only takes seconds to pull off, is up all over Boston and Jamaica Plain is no exception.
By this point in 2019 there were 136 car breaks in the neighborhood but that number has increased to 181–a 33 percent increase.
“The Department obviously takes great pride in the fact that arrests were made in all three incidents, we would, nevertheless, like to take this opportunity to remind community members to employ common sense preventative measures to protect items of value when exiting their vehicles,” said the statement. “As simple as it may sound, protecting your motor vehicle from a break-in starts with locking the doors and closing windows. Simple? Yes. But, highly effective.”
In fact, simple steps can often spell the difference between your car being broken into and the would-be thief moving on to another, more desirable target.
“More than anything else, thieves look for the easy score,” said the police. “So, don’t make it easy. If you have items of value, be it a cell phone, charger, money or iPad, take them with you when you exit your car. Because if a thief can see it, you can be sure he or she will do everything they can to steal it.”
As for other Part One Crimes in A-1 there have been 3 reported Homicides for 2020, down from 4 last year; Rape or Attemped Rape is is down from 9 to 8; Robbery or Attempted Robberty is up from 46 to 55; Non-Domestic Aggravated Assault is down from 103 to 70; Residential Burglaries are down from 96 to 32; other Larcencies are down from 314 to 253; and Auto Theft is down from 37 to 34.
So far this year there have been a total of 704 Part One Crimes, down from the 798 reported during the same time period in 2019. ,