House Looking to Crack Down on Sex Offender Crimes with Online Database
The recent state auditor report revealing that a large number of sex offenders live at addresses registered as childcare facilities has added fuel to the effort on Beacon Hill to publicize the names of all those who’ve committed sex crimes. “The auditor’s recent findings should serve as a catalyst to pass targeted legislation which protects the Commonwealth’s citizens from dangerous sex offenders,” House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones Jr. (R-North Reading) said in a statement Wednesday. “The report published today is an unfortunate example of why comprehensive sex offender legislation I filed will, in part, open the lines of communication between the Department of Early Education and Care and the Sex Offender Registry Board.” Jones’ bill is one of three now in the House that propose changing state law to make the names of lower-level offenders available either online or at a police department. Currently, only the names of Level 3 offenders, who are deemed by the registry board to be the most likely to reoffend, are public information. Jones’ bill, “An Act relative to protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth from sex offenders,” would make information about both Level 2 and 3 sex offenders available online and a list of Level 1 sex offenders available at police departments. It also restricts who can be classified as a Level 1 sex offender. Those who commit crimes against children or “other particularly violent sexually based crimes” would not be able to receive a Level 1 designation. Some exceptions exist for people who committed their crime when they were younger than 14. Currently, the power to classify each offender lies with the registry board, which considers a number of factors related to the crime. These may include the offender’s criminal history, the circumstances of the crime, the degree of harm caused and other considerations. For more, see the board’s guidelines. The two other bills, “An Act relative to public access to sex offender registration information” by Rep. Shaunna O’Connell (R-Taunton) and Rep. James Dwyer (D-Woburn), and “An Act relative to the Sex Offender Registry Board” by Rep. James Arciero (D-Westford) both aim to make information regarding all sex offenders available online. Such information includes the nature of the offense and the offender’s name, address, age, employer, race, height, hair and eye colors and photo. All three bills are scheduled for a Joint Committee on the Judiciary hearing on May 7. The three bills were filed in January, a month after a Level 1 sex offender, John Burbine of Wakefield, was charged with 100 counts of child sex abuse involving 13 infants and toddlers at the illegal daycare service he ran. State Auditor Suzanne Bump released findings […]
Week in Review: Trash Pilot Program, Crime Down in Neighborhood
The following were the top headlines on South End Patch from Feb. 25 to March 1, 2013: New Trash Pilot Program Starting March 1st Some South End neighborhoods will test a new program aimed at decreasing the amount of time trash spends on the curb waiting for pickup. K9strolls Dog Daycare Opens on Pembroke Street After running their business out of their home for four years, owners Daniel Avila and Jim Batty have opened a dog shop and play center on Pembroke Street. Crime Down Overall in South End Since Last Year Crime in the D-4 district is down by 10 percent overall according to the Boston Police Department. Details Shared on Albany Street Dual-Apartment Complex The project’s architects presented plans for the modified development at the Old Dover Neighborhood Association meeting on Tuesday night. Body Found Under I-93 Near South End Police are investigating a body found at the intersection of Albany Street and Travelers Street. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Crime Down Overall in South End Since Last Year
Crime in the South End area is down overall, but there have been several recent house breaks in the area, according to the Boston Police Department. Captain Paul M. Ivens of the D-4 district said that crime in 2012 was down compared to 2011, which was down compared to 2010. According to Boston Police statistics, in the South End area, overall crime was down 10 percent. Captain Ivens said the area around Peter’s Park has been improving based on a concerted effort to interrogate everyone seen hanging around the area. “They didn’t do anything wrong, but we know they were in this area on this date, and sometimes it helps us in other investigations,” he said. “People that don’t belong here, we make it uncomfortable for them to be here anymore. Once they are no longer anonymous they tend to leave.” Captain Ivens said there were some recent house breaks in the South End, near Warren Avenue, and several suspects were arrested. “It has gotten better,” he said. “Is it perfect? No, but we keep striving and we keep hammering away.” In the D-4 district, there were six homicides in 2012 compared to 2011. There were 29 rape cases or attempted rape cases compared to 33 last year, and robbery and attempted robbery were also down, 273 to 308. Burglary was also down, 524 in 2011 to 317 cases in 2012. Do you notice improvements on your street? Are you happy to hear that crime is down in the neighborhood? Tell us in the comments. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, Feb. 8: Snow Emergency at Noon, MBTA Shuts Down at 3:30 p.m.
1. Weather: On Thurday night, Friday’s storm was upgraded to a blizzard warning, and at least two feet of snow is expected in this area. The storm will start on Friday morning and will hit peak intensity starting Friday afternoon into Friday night. See here for the latest forecast. 2. MBTA To Shut Down: All bus, subway commuter rail and other services will be suspended starting at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Regular MBTA service will operate “with significant delays” from the start of service Friday until the 3:30 p.m. cutoff. See here for more info. 3. Snow Emergency Parking: A snow emergency will begin at noon in Boston. Here’s a list of the streets you cannot park on, and a link to the nearby garages in the South End that are offering parking specials. The governor is urging residents to be off the road by noon Friday. 4. Cancelling a weekend event? Or is your store or business closing early on Friday? Let me know at sara.jacobi@patch.com and I can update the neighborhood. You can also reach out through Facebook and Twitter. 5. Be in the Know: I’ll be working all weekend to provide neighborhood-specific updates – any power outages, down trees, etc. Follow along in real-time on Facebook and Twitter, and remember, it’s a two-way street. You can send in photos or videos of what you’re seeing out there, and I can share them with the rest of the neighborhood. More South End Patch Storm Coverage South End Storm Center Blizzard Warning Issued for Boston How Boston Cleans Up After a Snowstorm — And What You Can Do NSTAR Offers Tips to Prepare for Snowstorm City Taking Precautions to Deal with Serious Winter Storm SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
South End Storm Center: MBTA to Shut Down at 3:30 p.m. Friday
The current storm, Feb. 7-9: The National Weather Service predicts between one and two feet of snow for Boston, with a strong chance of coastal flooding. National Weather Service forecast Current NWS Storm warnings and advisories: Blizzard Watch Snow Emergency? A snow emergency will go into effect at 12 p.m. on Friday. South End snow emergency parking restrictions: Alternate garages open beginning 10 a.m. Friday. The official city of Boston snow information page MBTA Service Suspended Friday Afternoon As of Thursday evening, the MBTA has decided to suspend all modes of service effective at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. Regular MBTA service will operate with significant delays from the start of service Friday until 3:30 p.m., according to the transit website. See more information here. Delays, Cancellations and Closings: Schools: All Boston Public Schools are CLOSED on Friday Municipal buildings: Open to essential employees only. State offices: Open Courthouses: Closed Friday at 3 p.m. Other delays reported to WHDH MBTA travel advisories South End Patch News Coverage MBTA Service Suspended on Friday Afternoon Blizzard Warning Issued for Boston How Boston Cleans Up After a Snowstorm — And What You Can Do NSTAR Offers Tips to Prepare for Snowstorm MBTA Winter Weather Info City Taking Precautions to Deal with Serious Winter Storm Weekend Storm Alert Upgraded to Blizzard Watch SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates Scroll down for important phone numbers, websites and more. Stay with South End Patch as we keep you updated throughout the storm. Important numbers listed by the city: Emergencies (Police, Fire, EMS): 911 Mayor’s Hotline (24-Hrs): 617-635-4500 ABCD Fuel Assistance: 617-357-6012 Boston Water & Sewer: 617-989-7000 Consumer Complaints: 617-635-3834 DCR Storm Desk: 617-727-1680 Elderly Commission: 617-635-4366 Inspectional Services: 617-635-1010 MBTA: 617-222-3200 MassDOT: 857-368-6111 National Grid Gas: 800-322-3223 NSTAR Electric & Gas: 800-592-2000 Tow Lot: 617-635-3900 Verizon: 800-837-4966 Resident can also receive snow updates using the City’s Alert Boston system. List of city-authorized cab companies: Top Cab: 617-266-4800 Boston Cab: 617-536-3200 I.T.O.A. Cab: 617-825-4000 City Cab: 617-536-5100 Metro Cab: 617-782-5500 Tunnel Taxi: 617-567-2700 617TaxiCab: 617-829-4222 Was your car towed? Sign up for tow alerts Locate a towed car List of Boston towing contractors Snow removal during and after the storm Track city and contractor plows during the storm Boston snow removal rules and fines Adopt a hydrant to clear of snow South End Patch