NorthEndWaterfront.com

On September 2, 2010 at approximately 1:30am, officers from District A-1 (Downtown Boston ) responded to a radio call for a person stabbed at the corner of North St and Blackstone St. 

On arrival, officers observed two male victims, both 22 years old, being treated by Boston EMS for stab wounds. Both victims were transported to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. After speaking with witnesses, officers broadcast a description of the suspect.

Shortly thereafter, officers stopped 3 white males in the area of the North End. One of the three suspects matched the description given. The suspect was seen to have blood on his shirt and was sweating profusely. The suspect was brought back to the scene where he was indentified as the perpetrator.

Joseph Febbo 28 of Everett was place under arrest for Assault and Battery by means of a Dangerous Weapon.

Latest update from BPDNews.com:

The Boston Police are investigating a recent report of an assault and battery in the North End which occurred on August 21, 2010. Since that time, two additional women have come forward to report that they were approached by an individual with a similar description. Based on those descriptions, Boston Police are seeking to identify the individual portrayed in these two composite sketches. At this time, Boston Police believe that this is the same person.

The Boston Police would also like to take this opportunity to remind citizens, especially women, to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times.

Incident Description: 

• At about 3:20am, on Saturday, August 21, 2010, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for an assault & battery in progress in the area of 196 Salem Street. On arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated that she was sitting on the front steps of the above mentioned address when a male (described as a Hispanic male in his mid-twenties, about 5’10” tall, medium build, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans) approached her and asked for a light. According to the victim, she and the suspect spoke for about 2 to 3 minutes and then she got up to leave. When she turned her back to go, the victim states that the suspect grabbed her from behind in what she described as a choke hold. At this point, the victim says she began screaming and the suspect let her go and took off on foot.
• At about 1:55am on August 20, 2010, a female victim reported that she was near her residence on Charter Street when she was approached by an unknown male described as Hispanic, 25 years old, medium build. 5’ 9’’ and spiked hair. The suspect began to ask her questions which made her uncomfortable. The victim’s friend came outside and the suspect then fled towards Hanover Street.
• At about 11:17pm on August 22, 2010, a female victim reports that she was in the area of Unity Street when a Hispanic male, 5’ 11’’ in a purple Lakers cap, approached her and began asking her questions. The victim fled towards Charter Street.

Contact Us:

The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Area A-1 detectives at (617) 343-4248. 

TV news video clip:  

Related posts:
Woman Assaulted on Salem Street
Nazzaro Center Attack - Jack the Kisser?

BPDNews.com posted the following report of a woman being attacked on Salem Street in the early morning hours around 3:30 am on Saturday, August 21st. The man attempted to choke the woman before her screams scared him away. There is no word if this assault is connected to previous attacks on woman in the North End. Residents are also invited to the NEWNC Public Safety meeting next week on September 2nd, 6:30pm with the Boston Police at the Nazzaro Center.

Below is the full report from Boston Police:

The Boston Police are investigating a recent report of an assault and battery in the North End. The Boston Police would like to take this opportunity to remind citizens, especially women, to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times. 

Incident Description:  

At about 3:30am, on Saturday, August 21, 2010, officers from Area A-1 (Downtown) responded to a radio call for an assault & battery in progress in the area of 200 Salem Street. On arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated that she was sitting on the front steps in the area of the above mentioned address when a male (described as a Hispanic male in his mid-twenties, about 5’10” tall, medium build, wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans) approached her and asked for a light. According to the victim, she and the suspect spoke for about 2 to 3 minutes and then she got up to leave. When she turned her back to go, the victim states that the suspect grabbed her from behind in what she described as a choke hold. At this point, the victim says she began screaming and the suspect let her go and took off on foot.

The Boston Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is urged to contact Area A-1 detectives at (617) 343-4248.    

Community members who wish to assist this investigation anonymously can either call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department is only interested in your information, not your identity.

*** NOTE: The Boston Police Department is appealing to local businesses in and around the area of the incident and asking them to provide or make available any private security video that could be useful in this investigation.

TIPS FOR ENSURING YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY:

• Always be aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
• When parking, exiting or returning to your car, remain in well-lit and populated areas.
• Wear sneakers or shoes that allow for added mobility.
• Be watchful and aware. Keep your head up. Make quick eye contact with those around you and be observant of passing vehicles.
• Don’t become distracted by talking on a cell phone or listening to an iPod/similar device.
• Avoid walking alone late at night. Walk with friends and people you know.
• Keep a whistle within reach. If you feel threatened, use it. Yelling, “Fire!” “Help!” and/or “Rape!” are other ways of drawing attention and alerting people that you need help.
• Hold your car keys in your hand to use as a weapon against an attacker.
• Carry a cell phone in the event of an emergency.
• Call ahead to your destination and alert them that you’re en route. Make sure they expect you at a certain time. If you fail to show up on time, they’ll know enough to begin looking for you.
• Walk with confidence. Be assertive. Don’t let anyone violate your space. Trust your instincts.
• Know this: anyone at anytime can be a victim of crime. Don’t assume, “IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME.”
• If an unarmed attacker confronts you, believe in your ability to scare, distract, or even incapacitate the attacker enough to escape.
• If you think that someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant or residence.

Selected incidents from this week’s North End / Waterfront police journal log:

Sick/Injured - Person
08/20/10 2:12am
Police Officer walking on Prince St. trying to locate a loud roof top party, heard a loud scream and a thud. P.O. found a female victim who fell off the roof and was stuck in between two buildings. P.O. was able to extricate the victim from between the buildings. EMS transported the victim to MGH with multiple injuries. P.O. also being treated for injuries to arms and legs received while extricating the victim.

Larceny ( Bike )
08/14/10 8:00am
Victim reports Trek and lock was stolen from a street pole on Charter St.

Assault & Battery
08/14/10 11:00pm
Male suspect arrested for A&B on a male victim after the victim was leaving a store at Hanover and Fleet Streets. He was punched and knocked down by the suspect.

Breaking & Entering - Residential
08/13/10 4:50am
Male suspect arrested after foot chase through the North End for attempted breaking & entering of a Charter St. apartment.

View the full weekly police blotter for the North End/Waterfront (pdf).

Since the beginning of July, Boston Police District A-1 have seen an increase in “Breaking & Enterings” in the North End (see recent police reports). Sgt Tom Lema asks residents & businesses to review this Breaking & Entering Advisory Bulletin (pdf).

Two residential break-ins lead off this week’s Boston Police journal log for the North End / Waterfront area.

Breaking & Entering - Residential
07/30/10          8:00am-5:40pm
North St. resident reports apartment door was forced open. Jewelry, cell phone and a check book were stolen.

Breaking & Entering - Residential
08/02/10          8:30am – 10:30am
Endicott St. resident reports apartment was broken into, no sign of forced entry, removed from the apt. was US currency, jewelry, laptop and 4 watches.

View the entire North End/Waterfront police blotter for this week (pdf).

Boston Police District A-1

Breaking & Entering 

Advisory Bulletin

We recommend that constituents follow these

security measures to protect their residences

and/or businesses from being broken into.    

Use sturdy doors.

Solid wooden doors or doors reinforced with steel offer much more protection than hollow core wooden doors.

Use safe locks.

Adding quality deadbolt locks is a great idea because they can’t be ‘popped’ the way spring-latch locks can.

Don’t buzz people into the building without knowing who they are.

A thief might use many disguises and ruses and also pose as someone that they’re not.

Strangers should be questioned as to their business in a building.

This can be done in a polite way and is essential. Strangers become accountable.

Check restrooms and closets during and at the end of the work day.

Lock windows.

When you are not at home, always lock your first floor windows.

Security alarm systems

Most systems have loud sirens. Certain systems alert the alarm company to contact the police to respond to the home. Security decals are also placed on doors and windows as a deterrent.

In a single family home or a multi-dwelling building, the outer hallway door should be locked.

If a thief has access to the inner hallway, the thief now has a cover from the public’s eye and extra time to break through the front door without being noticed.

Introduce yourself to your neighbor. Consider having a neighbor or friend watch your home when you’re on vacation.

Turn on your front and rear porch lights at dusk so that the outside of the house is well light around the entrances.

When the house is unattended, leave on a radio or sound fixture and also use timers on some inside lights to leave an impression that someone is home.

If you observe unusual activity call 9-1-1 or have information concerning break-ins, please don’t hesitate to call District 1 Detectives at #343-4248. If you have any other concerns, contact the Community Service Office at #343-4627.

Before the business of the May NEWNC Public Safety Committee meeting, attendees reflected on the contributions of its founder and long-time Chairman, Bob DeCristoforo. On behalf of the Boston Police, Sgt. Tom Lema and Officer Teddy Boyle, Area A-1 Captain O’Rourke expressed sincere appreciation for the work of Bobby D. to keep the neighborhood safe. A moment of silence was observed.

Stephen Passacantilli, NEWNC President, chaired the May meeting and proposed a rotating chairperson staffed by the members of the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council.

Boston Police reviewed the April 2010 crime statistics shown below. After two months of improvement, car breaks (included in the larcenies category below) spiked to high levels, especially at area garages. In April, there were 19 car break-ins, up from 6 the month earlier. A common factor is the stealing of gps, laptops, cell phones and wallets from cars. Police advise car owners not to leave valuables in their vehicles. A rash of incidents has been reported at neighborhood garages, especially the Clinton St. garage.

There were no homicides or sexual assaults during the month, but police reported two aggravated assaults, one stolen car, four burglaries and two graffiti incidents. During April, there were 13 cars towed, 147 moving vehicle citations and 381 parking tickets.

One robbery took place near the corner of Salem & Prince Streets. The female victim was under the influence of alcohol and cited that she was robbed of her cell phone and papers.

A party incident was reported on Fleet Street when a woman walking down the street was hit with a crushed beer can. Several males were looking out an upper story window. Detectives arrived on the scene where the suspects denied the incident. Police will follow-up on the address as a disorderly house.

A vagrant was arrested at St. Leonard Church for sleeping in the church.

Police noted a program they are working on with the Eliot School. Fourth grade students wrote essays on bullying, touching on “what is a bully” and experiences they have had with bullies. One girl’s essay was unanimously chosen as the favorite. She will receive a BMX bicycle and helmet, donated by Frito Lay.

National Night Out is coming back to the neighborhoods on the first Tuesday in August.

A resident reported seeing a drug deal at 1:00 am on Commercial Street, behind Mercantile Wharf. He reports hearing, “how many bags do you want?.” Police advised him to report the incident at the time it occurs.

Captain O’Rourke issued a warning to restaurant patrons that thieves are taking purses from the back of chairs in busy cafes/restaurants. Although there have not been any incidents in the North End, police report multiple problems in the South End.

Marie Simboli, 61 Prince St., reported a loud party on Saturday, May 1s, after 10pm. She saw multiple cases of beer brought into the apartment. She called 911 and said there was no response. Police at the meeting said they will track the incident and get back to Marie. In addition to 911, police told residents to call their “Loud Party Hotline” at 617-343-5500.

A resident asked if it was legal to shoot off fireworks on the street. Police said it is not legal and observers should call 911 when they see fireworks incidents.