South Boston Burglaries Decline Sharply, Robberies do not

By Joshua Schubert

SOUTH BOSTON – Residents of South Boston have learned that one of the best defenses against burglaries is a locked door.

The neighborhood has experienced a 31 percent decline in burglary attempts between 2007 and 2008.

Of the 12 Boston police districts, South Boston ranks fourth in fewest burglaries this year, behind Charlestown, East Boston and West Roxbury.

Through Sept. 28, 138 burglaries have been attempted in South Boston, compared with 200 over the same period last year.

There is now a visible police presence within the area, particularly on the major commercial strip of West Broadway that runs through South Boston.

Multiple patrol cars can often be seen both parked and driving through the district, while as many as four officers can be seen walking through the area during the evening. The officers engaged with locals, often appearing as fixtures in the community.

The crimes in South Boston had been “most often committed during the daytime when the occupant [was] not home,” according to a message on the South Boston Police Department website.

Following an increase in burglaries early in the year, police told South Boston homeowners to lock their doors, “especially when alone, sleeping, or the residence is unoccupied (even if only for a few moments).”

The police advised residents to start a crime watch.

Residents were urged to “take precautions and remain vigilant for any suspicious activity,” according to the message. The crimes had continued despite a significant number of arrests, according to the message.

The emphasis on vigilance and police presence has not contributed to a notable decrease in attempted robberies, as the number has remained relatively constant since last year.

The last two reported attempts, however, were called in by residents, in one case multiple residents, and resulted in the police catching the suspects.

During the peak of South Boston’s crime problem in 2005, 255 burglaries were committed during the comparable timeframe (includes one additional week).