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Personal security cameras recommended by police By Christina Prisco/ Correspondent |
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Roslindale residents expressed alarm at the rise in teen-related
crime in the Lower Metropolitan Hill area at the group's monthly meeting last
week, and police suggested installing video
cameras to help them catch the culprits.
"As the weather gets warmer, I'm
worried there are going to be more incidents," said Todd Bearson, 38. The increase
was especially worrisome to one Roslindale woman in her late 40s who did not want
to be identified as she described her own recent encounter with local youths.
While walking her German shepherd on Otis Place, two young men whom she had seen
before began following and taunting her. "It was unnerving and stupid behavior,
not [stupid] to bother me, because I'm small, but to come up on a big dog like
mine?" she said. "I don't know where they live, but it was very disturbing and
then they vanished." Others at the meeting said they were aware of similar problems
that appeared to be the work of the same "cast of characters." District E-5 police
Sgt. Ken Jameson reported that earlier in the week, two males from Dorchester
were arrested after they allegedly robbed and cut the hand of a 13-year-old female.
But Jameson said the department is stretched. "We can't be everywhere 24 hours
a day," said Jameson. "The biggest thing is to identify [the suspects] and that
helps us to locate them and try to solve problems. You people are our eyes and
ears." Jameson suggested residents set up black-and-white
surveillance cameras outside of their homes. He said that two families who
live on potentially problematic streets recently purchased and put up such devices.
"I'll help you set them up; I don't have a problem with that," he said. "The cameras
are wireless
and I can go on the Web and look at things. They give a good projection." The
problem is not the lack of awareness by police officers, but the lack of staff.
"We're seriously short of staff," said police Capt. John Kervin. "There's only
one two-person [patrol] car for all of West Roxbury and Roslindale.Relying on
the efforts of the individuals within the community, Kervin encouraged people
to call 911 to report any suspicious people or behavior. "Times and location help
a lot. Be precise." From TownOnline |
