Residents, Police Applaud Results of Neighborhood Watch

If there was one main point that caught my attention during last week’s Neighborhood Watch Meeting, it was that communication and community were ringing harmoniously. Both are essential not only for a neighborhood to even exist, but also to prevent crime. Communication and community are the foundation of a tight-knit neighborhood like Charlestown.  

For those who are unaware of what the Neighborhood Watch is, the best way to describe it is a network of connections and dialogue between neighbors and police. Most importantly it gives residents, both new and townie, a chance to build relationships and protect each other. There are more than 800 Neighborhood Watches city-wide and Charlestown boasts almost 70 groups of its own.

On Wednesday, April 6, more than 30 residents of Charlestown gathered together in a meeting room at the Hayes Square District A-1 Police Station in Charlestown. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the Neighborhood Watch Program as well as express their concerns to the Boston Police Department. The meeting was led by Carolyn MacNeil, director of the Neighborhood Watch Unit, and Capt. Bernard O’Rourke, commander of the District A-1 station.

Both MacNeil and O’Rourke, as well as other Neighborhood Watch coordinators, spoke of the success of the program because there has been such quick response from police, due to the cooperation and collaboration of the different Neighborhood Watch members. One woman, who is part of the Cross Street Neighborhood Watch a block west of the Bunker Hill Monument, confidently commended the accomplishments of her Neighborhood Watch. Since the establishment of the Neighborhood Watch group on Cross Street, residents now know each other, have block parties, and even collaborate with neighbors from nearby Cordis Street.

This Cross Street resident also mentioned the rapid response from the police because of the involvement of participants who actively report suspicious activity on their street. They are aware of when an incident happens and stay connected with each other. The more calls the police receive, the bigger the priority becomes.   

During the meeting Captain O’Rourke said, “Charlestown has one of the best, highest, and quickest responses from the police in the city of Boston.” He noted that it is because the effort of the Neighborhood Watch participants who continuously call, but also how small Charlestown is. “A police officer might be patrolling through the Sullivan Square area, will get a call coming from the other side of town, and could be there within two minutes.”

O’Rourke also mentioned that crime in Charlestown has decreased 16 percent, with only 12 burglaries since the start of 2011.

Contrary to his statement, residents from the “end of the world” or the Charlestown Neck/Sullivan Square area, addressed frustrations of not receiving any response from the Boston Police Department. One couple said they had reported numerous suspicious characters and drug interactions, but have been ignored by the police, unlike their neighbors from Cross Street. A concerned Sullivan Square resident also said, “I’ve come to the point where I don’t even want to call the cops, there’s just no point if nothing is going to be done about it.”

O’Rourke quickly discouraged this type of attitude, bringing to the attention of non-emergency versus emergency calls. A non-emergency call consists of a suspicious person, teenagers on the corner, or loud parties. Emergency calls, which are more of a priority, are issues related to bodily harm, break-ins etc. Both Captain O’Rourke and MacNeil repeatedly encouraged residents to keep calling if an issue continuously occurs. It will increase the expectation of police officers, raise the specter of priorities, and enable a much quicker response. 

A young Townie’s perspective

The Neighborhood Watch program might seem as if the focus is capturing and preventing crime, but the true idea of it, or at least what I got out of the meeting, is the creation of a neighborhood connection. Especially in the streets of Charlestown that have lacked a presence of “community” in recent years. As I stepped into the meeting, I only recognized a few familiar faces. Right away, I was aware of an awkward atmosphere of people not knowing each other. I felt like an outsider in my own breeding ground. Charlestown has changed, but its tight-knit flavor still exists today. Our families grew up together, so we automatically had a sense of community. The communication and connection of knowing who people are and what is happening in the town comes natural to Townies.

My suggestions differ from the Boston Police Department when it comes to “community-building.” It’s simple, get to know each other. Neighbors do not need a block party to meet and greet each other. Sit on the stoop of your house with your neighbors on a hot summer night. That is more of a powerful presence and such a stronger message to suspicious lurkers than some sticker on your windowpane. If you do not have sugar in your house and do not have enough time to purchase it at the store, then knock on your neighbor’s door and ask to borrow some. Instead of setting up play-dates for your children to interact with each other, let them do the coordinating themselves. Allow them to walk down the street to knock on their friends’ door. If it snows out, give a hand by helping your neighbor shovel out their car. When you are having a party or cookout, invite your neighbors. Go to the local fundraisers, participate in the sporting tournaments, or dine where the locals eat. That is the type of environment I was raised in.

Always be social, always be hospitable, and always say “hi” when walking past someone and there is eye contact. That is where community and communication begins. Step outside your doors today and talk to your neighbors.

Helpful hints from the meeting:

• Even if you feel neglected when calling the police, keep calling. The more calls made, the more of a priority of your calls become
• Share information with the BPD, the police cannot help if you do not help them
• To prevent burglary: Do not leave valuable items in your car in plain view.
• To join your local Neighborhood Watch Group visit www.bostoncrimewatch.com or call 617-343-4345
• For right away emergency assistance, call 617-343-4911
• For ongoing occurrences, please call Sgt. Thomas Lema: 617-343-4627
• For drug related scenarios, please call Sgt. William Dwan: 617-343-4879
• For 100 percent, anonymous crime reporting via text messaging: text “Tip” to CRIME (27463)
• When calling 911, it will transfer you to the MA State Police. Simply tell them you are in Boston and you will be connected to a BPD operator within 10-15 seconds.

Sean Boyle is a lifelong resident of Charlestown, and fourth generation Townie. He's a student at Bunker Hill Community College.