Crime Prevention

Photo courtesy of John Cameron

Crime has been allowed for too long unchallenged in the Black and brown communities of Boston. Black and brown children have been raised in these communities, believing that poverty and violence are a regular part of growing up in those communities.

As Boston goes forward in building up neighborhoods like the Waterfront, the Black and brown communities of Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, and Chinatown are neglected.

I am not an out-of-town talker who makes promises and knows nothing of our great city. I grew up on York Street in Dorchester.

These crime-fighting and prevention initiatives will take place in our entire city. The above-mentioned communities will be the starting point for this community empowerment program.

The proposals I make regarding crime control and crime prevention will be done directly with the Boston Police Department.

Proposal

Step 1

Working with the community to create a community watch program that covers their community. While street neighborhood watch programs are good. As I speak to community members, I am told there is a strong feeling of fear.

Fear that reporting on the crimes they witness and report could result in retaliation.

Step 2

Have the BPD and community members create an in-depth training program for community members who want to be part of a community watch program.

Training with areas such as:

City ordinances and laws

Basic First Aid

Training to prepare community members to become strong community watch members.

Step 3

Build a Community Watch Center. A community watch center with stationed BPD officers. Community watch members can meet and prepare for their shifts.

Step 4

Provide radios that connect with the BPD so situations can be reported to dispatch and the appropriate response to community watch call-ins to report situations.

We will create BPD units connected directly to the community watch program.

Step 5

Create noticeable community watch vehicles. 4-wheel-drive vehicles with protective doors and protective glass.

The SUV will be equipped with video recording technology that will record from the vehicle at a 360-degree angle. All sides recording all times.

Step 6

Creating a BPD Community Drone Unit. The drone unit will utilize drones in police chases and community watch. The drone unit will run 24 hours per day. The unit will patrol troubled areas, like the Boston Commons.

The drone unit will support the new Boston Community Watch Initiative.

• The BPD has had a drone unit since 2017. Originally used for crime scene investigation. Under my plan, the BPD will create drone teams for the communities. Drones would run all hours of the day.

The Drone Unit will support the BPD and the Boston Community Watch Program.

Step 7

Create a community watch program that specifically addresses bus and train safety. Community watch members who will ride buses and trains. The members will have radios connecting them to each other and BPD.

They will be able to reach the T-Police to report incidents and dangerous situations. They will be able to call ambulance and fire services as well.

We will look to work with established community watch organizations like the Guardian Angels.

These community members will be essential in providing a safer environment in Boston.

The next stage in my crime prevention program.

The next step is to create jobs and job training opportunities. Programs that will be open to all in need of work. That will include all felons.

Work with the trade and medical unions to create internships and paid trade training programs. There will be training in languages and sign language.

This is the beginning stage of my crime prevention program.

These programs will be a specific training process overseen by the Boston Police, Boston EMS, and the BFD.

Boston will revolutionize community watch programs in America. Provide Boston residents with a safer environment.