Safe Walk- SAFETY TIPS  by Jeseph Porcelli

When possible avoid walking alone, especially at night. Your vulnerability to street crime is reduced as much as 70 percent by simply being in a group.

Before exiting the train station, put your keys in your hand or keep them in your pocket.

Keep a safety whistle on your key chain to scare away a potential criminal and summon help.

Carry a cell phone.  This is the fastest way to get help in an emergency.

Walk with confidence, be aware of you surroundings and avoid bushes and poorly lit areas.

If walking alone, walk in the street as opposed to the sidewalk, or walk as close as possible to the curb.  

If you are forced into a physical confrontation, remember blow your whistle, scream or do whatever is necessary to draw attention to yourself.  Scream “Fire,” “Help.”    

If you are being followed, stay in a well lit area, seek safety in a public place and call 911 for help. Give the operator your location quickly so they can help you as fast as possible.

Carry a little flashlight to use when walking in dark places.

Consider taking a taxi or asking a friend for a ride if it’s late at night.

Avoid dark alleys, short cuts and vacant lots, particularly at night.

Don’t wear headphones or talk on your cell phone when walking or jogging alone.

Use a purse with a zipper or a flap that fastens, and carry it close to your body on inside your jacket.

Trust your instincts. If you see someone that makes you uncomfortable, try to walk away and get help or call the police. If you are unable to run, consider walking up a nearby set of steps, and repeatedly ringing the doorbell, regardless of the time of night. The residents can call the police for you, and the person following you will likely run away.

Always report suspicious people and any crimes by calling the police at 911. No call is too small. Read more about safety here

Dear friends, Welcome to the District D-4 Web Page. District D-4 is located at 650 Harrison Ave in the South End adjacent to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Our District covers four of Boston’s most diverse neighborhoods; South End, Lower Roxbury, Back Bay, and The Fenway. Within the boundaries of the district are the Boston Medical Center, The Boston Herald, The Pine St Inn, Copley Place shopping mall, Boston Public Library Main Branch, Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park, Boston University and Northeastern University. The residents and Dailey visitors to our district are made up of several racial, ethnic, and religious groups. The men and woman of District D-4 work in partnership with the community to fight crime reduce fear and improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods. The Officers and Detectives of District D-4 respond to and investigate crimes that range from quality of life issues such as panhandling to serious felonies such as Robbery and Burglary. We have several ongoing programs at the district with our civic and community partners. There are monthly scheduled police / community meetings in the four neighborhoods of the district to discuss issues of crime and quality of life. The district has several educational and prevention programs; R.A.D. (Woman’s Self-Defense Class), senior and Junior Police Academies, G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training), the Leave It and Lose It Campaign (to deter larcenies from motor vehicles) and Operation Impact. Operation Impact is a coalition of various law enforcement agencies who collaborate and communicate with the common goal to reduce youth violence. Unfortunately, the issue of larcenies from motor vehicles continues to be a problem on the District, despite increased patrols and educational initiatives that have been taken. Officers have made numerous arrests, but arrests alone will not solve the problem. It is our belief that this is a problem that must be addressed by all our community partners. Please do not leave valuables visible in your motor vehicles. We ask residents to take precautions and remain vigilant for suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Please report any suspicious activity immediately by dialing 911 or (617)343-4911 from a cell phone (otherwise the call will go to the State Police). The Community Service Office at D-4 can provide you with tips and suggestions on safeguarding your property. As the Commanding Officer of this district, I want to assure all of our residents of my commitment to advance the Department’s mission of community policing. On behalf of the men and woman of D-4 I thank you for visiting our web page and invite you to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. Respectfully, Captain Paul M. Ivens Commanding Officer – District D-4

• Front Desk (617) 343-4250
• Drug Control Unit (617) 343-4822
• Detectives (617) 343-5619
• Auto Investigations (617) 343-4293
• Property Clerk (617) 343-4250
• Youth Service Office (617) 343-4457
• Anti-Crime (617) 343-5375
• Details Room (617) 343-4210
• Domestic Violence (617) 343-4811
• Tag Room (617) 343-4582
• Community Service (617) 343-4457

By Milton J. Valencia, Globe Staff

August 19, 2010 04:18 PM

As the start of the school year nears, law enforcement officials are warning residents to be mindful of their surroundings at night on the Charles River Esplanade in light of a series of unsolved sexual assaults in that area.

A joint statement by Boston police and State Police and Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley warns joggers, cyclists, pedestrians and others to travel in groups if they visit the Esplanade at night. Specifically, they warn people to avoid one-on-one contact with strangers, to not get into a stranger’s car, and to be mindful of what’s around them.

The warning comes while police continue to search for the suspect in a series of attacks on the Esplanade that date back to 2006.

Follow the link for a composite image of the suspect and more information.  -ed

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/08/accused_craigsl_2.html

Accused ‘Craigslist killer’ Philip Markoff commits suicide in Boston jail
By June Q. Wu, Globe Correspondent – August 15, 2010 03:15 PM

Accused “Craigslist Killer” Philip Markoff committed suicide at Nashua Street Jail in Boston, where he was being held awaiting trial in the slaying of Julissa Brisman, 25, who was visiting from New York, according to Steven Tompkins, spokesman for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office.

Markoff, 24, was pronounced dead at 10:17 this morning. While authorities are still investigating, Markoff was alone in his cell and all evidence collected so far indicates that it was a suicide, said a statement released by Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley.

Authorities have said that Markoff shot Brisman, who was visiting Boston from New York, three times with a handgun on April 14, 2009 after they struggled in the doorway of her room on the 20th floor of the Marriott Copley in Boston. A bullet pierced her heart. Prosecutors said Markoff also battered her head.

[Philip Markoff lived in the West Fenway when the crime was committed. - ed]

compiled by Joanna Arpie

BREAKING AND ENTERING ON HEMENWAY
Police reported a breaking and entering at 38 Hemenway St. on Feb. 25. According to the reports, an unidentified person(s) broke into the apartment through the side door entrance between 4:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. The door’s locking mechanism was damaged and paint and wood chips were found on the floor, suggesting a forced entry. All four of the resident were not home so no one was hurt however $1,440 worth of property was stolen.

MAN ARRESTED FOR LARCENY
On Feb. 27 police responded to a call at 5:04 p.m. for larceny in progress at the corner of Boylston Street and Massachusetts Avenue. Upon arrival police observed a man walking into Tedeschi’s Convenience, pointing to the suspect inside the store.

According to the victim, the suspect flagged down his cab and opened the rear passenger door of his cab to ask if he took credit or debit cards. The suspect then picked up an unknown object from the seat, closed the door and walked away with a wallet in his hand. The cab driver saw the man removing money from the wallet and exited the vehicle to demand that he return the money that he said belonged to the previous passenger. When the suspect refused to return the money the cab driver followed him and pushed him to the ground.

Police spoke with a Tedeschi Convenience employee who confirmed this story. They then conducted a pat frisk on the suspect and felt a small stack of money in his pocket. When the victim was unable to identify how much money he had, he was placed under arrest for larceny over $250. Officers found a total of $610 on the man. The owner of the wallet was located and police returned the money to him.

MORE BREAKING AND ENTERING ON HEMENWAY
An apartment at 26 Hemenway St. was broken into on Feb. 22 between 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. One of the victims said he found muddy footprints on his bed near an unlocked window. The victims believe this to be the entrance point for the intruder. An Apple computer valued at $1,500 was the only item stolen from the apartment.

STUDENT CAUSES MAJOR DISRUPTION AT MCKINLEY
On Feb. 22, an officer assigned to McKinley Prep High School was called to address a physical altercation between two students that resulted from one student making an unnecessary comment about the other. The student who made the comment was removed from the classroom and sent to the planning center.

While in the planning center, the student became more agitated and began to scream at staff members. He began yelling profane language at the officer who asked him to correct his behavior. The student was asked to stay in the planning center however repeatedly attempted to leave. His behavior escalated to the point where he was issued a suspension and instructed to leave the building immediately.

The student continued to yell at the officer and refused to exit the building. His disorderly behavior caused students to stop and watch. The officer informed the student if he did not leave it would be considered trespassing. The student eventually left on his own terms and will be summoned to court for trespassing.

STUDENTS COMPUTER STOLEN AT MFA
A student reported his computer was stolen out of his backpack while visiting the MFA on Feb. 25. The victim said his computer was inside his backpack and kept in a blue bin in an unlocked side room inside the museum. He did not notice the computer missing until he returned to his dorm room. The computer is valued at $1,500.

PERSON ARRESTED FOR UNLICENSED FIREARM
On Feb. 27, police along with the assistance of a State Trooper placed a suspect under arrest for underage drinking, drinking in public, carrying a firearm without a license, carrying a loaded firearm, and using another person’s identification card to purchase alcohol.

Police first approached the suspect when he exited the Who’s On First nightclub (19 Yawkey Way) with a beer bottle in hand. The suspect was informed of the violation of Drinking Alcoholic Beverage in Public. When an officer removed the bottle from his hand, the suspect placed both hands towards his waistband. Worried for their safety, police put the suspect in handcuffs and conducted a pat frisk in which they found a loaded Colt 25 caliber.

The suspect was not of legal age to drink alcoholic beverages or posses a license to carry a firearm. The suspect was arrested and will be charged as an Armed Career Criminal Level 1 based on a prior guilty conviction of assault and battery.

Police also arrested two other individuals who repeatedly disrupted them as they tried to gain control of the scene. While being booked, an officer found marijuana in one of the suspect’s pockets as well as a Massachusetts ID that did not match his identity. The suspect was issued a violation for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana.

BREAKING AND ENTERING ON SYMPHONY ROAD
On Feb. 16 at about 10:10 a.m., police responded to a breaking-and-entering call at 20 Symphony Road. The caller said she awoke to the sound of someone banging on the glass window to her rear bedroom door. She looked up to find the noise was coming from an unknown male outside here window trying to break in. While attempting to enter the apartment the suspect shattered the glass window. The victim said she yelled at the suspect causing him to flee down the alley towards Symphony Road and Gainsborough Street. Police searched the surrounding area but found no suspects.

LARCENY AT HI BOSTON HOSTEL
On Feb. 16, a woman reported her wallet stolen from her bag while staying at the Hi Boston Hostel at 12 Hemenway St. The property and its contents were valued at $500.

WALLET STOLEN AT DUNKIN DONUTS ON HUNTINGTON
On Feb. 15, a woman reported her wallet stolen out of her backpack while she was sitting at a Dunkin Donuts located at 283 Huntington Ave. The missing wallet and its contents were valued at $710.

AUTO THEFT ON PETERBOROUGH
On Feb. 17 at about 8:31 p.m. a woman reported her vehicle stolen. According to the victim, the car was parked at 36 Peterborough St. at 1 p.m. and was gone when she returned at 6:30 p.m. Police notified the stolen car unit and the next day found the car parked at 60 Queensbury St. The victim said she did not remember if she forgot where she parked the vehicle or if someone moved it without her permission. Two days later police spoke with the victim again who confirmed that the car was never stolen. She said her friend moved the car and it was all just a case of miscommunication.

UNARMED ROBBERY ON PARK DRIVE
On Feb. 15, a woman reported she was robbed while walking on Park Drive. According to the victim, at about 7 p.m. she approached 223 Park Drive when she saw two males walking toward her in opposite directions. As they passed her she said they pulled her onto the grass near the building and forcefully took her Iphone. According to police reports the incident is under further investigation.