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Many years ago, the innovative
police officials at Dorchester's district C-11 came up with
another good idea: it was called "party line," a way for
neighbors to make a direct-dial telephone call to the local
station to report a late-night excessive noise problem where
they lived. Residents learned to call about someone
"disturbing the peace," and local cops familiar with the
neighborhood could prevent bigger problems from developing.
It was community policing at its best.
The unique party line is usually
up and running in the summer months, when young people with
time on their hands might find a party the ideal way to
celebrate the warm weather overnights. The concept was this:
using the eyes and ears of residents, the cops could respond
to curb such "nuisance" occasions before they escalated. And
the system worked.
Our police force is necessarily
finite in its resources, and the reality of the department's
year-round policy is that sometimes only true emergencies,
those calls the department classifies as "Prority One,"
receive a response from officers in the district. A noisy
party in someone's home is low priority, compared other
violent crimes. But the noisy parties often lead to serious
situations, and neighbors who utilized the party line found
they could expect a police response from cops who knew their
own neighborhood.
But the project was temporary, and
is not currently in use. We think that should change, and a
new higher priority ought to be placed on such "quality of
life" issues.
Recall that last fall, an
overnight party that continued for days on Milton Avenue
resulted in the murder of a young high school student, even
after frustrated neighbors said they had called 9-1-1 and
got no response. Last week, a 22 year-old visiting our city
was killed while leaving a Geneva Avenue party at four in
the morning. Both times, the police say they were unaware
the party was going on.
But if all neighbors can do is
report such events by dialing 9-1-1, and police policy is to
not respond to those calls because of more urgent matters,
then we have a problem. The community wants to help, and the
evidence is the police department does not allocate the
resources to give an adequate response.
That must change. Last week's
terrible shooting has unleashed a torrent of reactionary
criticism, both of the police department and the city
itself. One local charlatan threatens to tell visitors to
avoid coming to our city, a divisive tactic last used when
the police union wanted some extra benefits in its contract.
The real shame is that innocent
persons continue to lose their lives. Remember it was just
weeks ago that a local woman was killed in the middle of the
day as she walked home from the corner store just a few
blocks away from the site of the Geneva Ave. shooting. But
then, it was a young woman of color, and her loss provoked
little outrage, while the Geneva victim was a college
educated white woman. The media was quick to pick up on her
murder; more evidence that some lives are
expendable?
Here's some advice: dust off the
party line phones and let residents know they will get a
police response when these bothersome late night parties
disrupt their lives. Maybe, with the police and the
community working together, we can avoid some of these awful
urban tragedies.
-Ed Forry
Consistent
response could help curb problem parties 3.29.07
Iraq
inspector
Blix
bemoans
rush to war
3.22.07
Of
immigrants, old and new 3.15.07
The
real voices of Codman Square 3.8.07
Buyers
take measure of Carney Hospital 3.1.07
We
stand by our story 2.22.07
Captain's
journey touched many lives 2.15.07
'Daughters'
return bodes well for Carney 2.8.07
Stop
the parade of political Ticket-fixes
2.1.07
Putting
the focus on our diversity 1.25.07
The
JFK Library is a treasure chest 1.18.07
Getting
it right at the Strand Theatre 1.11.07
President
Feeney: Good news for city hall 1.04.07
War
heroes, peace activists and R-droppin' wranglers
12.28.06
The
majesty of Christmas then, and
now
12.21.06
Justice
for Ricky 12.14.06
On
holiday overnight, a first-time victim
11.30.06
For
all we have, we give thanks 11.22.06
New
Dems recall heady days of JFK's rise
11.16.06
The
beginning of civility 11.09.06
Deval
Patrick for Governor 11.02.06
Rapid
transit? Not from Ashmont this day!
10.26.06
More
cops, not study, needed now 10.19.06
Nukes
raise specter of bad-old-days
Message
from a grieving mother 7.27.06
Romney
plays wedge politics against … us
7.13.06
Moving
LNG capacity offshore makes sense 7.06.06
Rest
in Peace, Trooper Barry 6.22.06
Hail
to the Chief 6.15.06
College
must remain affordable 6.8.06
Parade
celebrates our great Diversity 6.1.06
Wild
overreaction to Dot wildlife 5.25.06
Speech
gives hope for Bush - and the nation
5.18.06
Can
we silence the sounds of violence? 5.11.06
City's
Dorchester divide makes no sense 5.4.06
Road
work worth the hassle 4.27.06
An
egg-cellent time 4.20.06
Ashmont
Hill music-makers mark anniversary
4.13.06
Attacks
on Bill Bulger unfair, unchecked 4.06.06
Reminders
of our common immigrant roots 3.30.06
Laugh-a-lot
3.23.06
Respect
the plight of St. Guillen's survivors
3.16.06
Stand
up on behalf of 'Undocumented' 3.9.06
Fr.
Kierce typified best of Catholic mission
3.2.06
Winter
warm-up for a good cause 2.23.06
Congressman
Lynch's admirable forum 2.16.05
Be
Kind - Honor Darlene Sheehan 2.09.06
St.
Fleur's passion, Reilly's fumble 2.02.06
Keep
line between church and state clear 1.26.06
The
legacy of Dr. King 1.19.06
Act
now to prevent unwanted cell phone calls
1.12.06
Take
steps to cross cultural divide 1.05.06
Thinking
outside the supermarket box 12.29.05
More
focus needed to stop flow of guns
12.22.05
Menino's
Christmas message was poignant, welcome
12.15.05
It
is beginning to look a lot like Christmas 12.8.05
The
Globe's myopia 12.1.05
Giving
thanks for Dot's common grounds 11.23.05
Forty
years of caring 11.17.05
Next
Menino administration needs a tune-up
11.10.05
More
delibreate, reasoned debate needed in Supreme Court seating
11.03.05
Models
exist to improve community policing, communication
10.27.05
O'Sullivan
moves on from editor's job, Denitzio to step up
10.20.05
mmunity
policing undermined by red tape 10.13.05
At
Carney, what does the future hold?
10.6.05
Connected
in death, murder victims demand justice
9.29.05
Dot
doctor does more good
9.22.05
Compassion
trumps politics 9.15.05
A
fitting name for Columbia Rd. pilot school
9.8.05
Globe's
orientation 101: Shore up city's mythic divisions
9.1.05
Small
tales 8.25.05
Tax
holiday fits well into sensible economic recovery
8.18.05
Singling
out Lyndhurst Street unfair, unproductive
8.11.05
Good
Start Towards Protecting Neighborhood's Past
8.4.05
Ode
to the Port's Pat Kelleher 7.28.05
Time
to Focus on the Municipal Election
7.21.05
Time
for a Shield Law to Protect Journalists, Public
7.14.05
Market
Should Stay Affordable 7.7.05
Non-Profits
Step into the Void Left by Big Banks
Lawmakers
Should Push Hard for 'Soft Seconds'
6.16.05
Standing
by Our Man 6.9.05
Dorchester
at 375 6.2.05
Motley
Was 'Our Guy' 5.26.05
Opportunity
Knocks in Uphams Corner 5.19.05
Welcoming
G.M. Grabauskas 5.12.05
Recalling
Heroes of Conflicts Past 5.05.05
Let's
Help a Boston Original Gets His Due
4.28.05
Inescapable
Despair 4.21.05
Heroes
"Over There" and Here at Home, Too
4.14.05
Orange
Revolution Comes to Columbia Point 4.7.05
A
Troubling Omission in UMass-Boston Search 3.31.05
A
Congressional Disappointment 3.24.05
The
Irish Way 3.17.05
Waiting
for the T 3.10.05
Life
and Death Matters 3.03.05
Dot
Cops Move Up the Ranks 2.24.05
Finally,
Civic Group Returns in Lower Mills
2.17.05
Defining
Dynasty 2.10.05
A
Mission of Mercy 2.3.05
Spreading
the Word About Tax Credits 1.27.05
Online
Community Thrives at DotNews 1.20.05
Making
a Priority of Preservation 1.13.05
Let's
Resolve to Spread Happiness Each Day the Whole Year Through
1.06.05
A
Few Thoughts on Pedro, Leaving 12.16.04
Mail
Carriers Provide Great Service, Bargain
12.09.04
The
Great Divide 12.02.04
Holiday
Puts Our Many Gifts in Perspective 11.25.04
Lack
of Health Insurance Remains a Real Moral Failing
11.18.04
Comparison
Shopping 11.11.04
The
One That Got Away … 11.04.04
Waiting
on the Impossible 10.28.04
Flu
Scandal Raises Questions for Bush
10.21.04
An
Online Timeline 10.14.04
Be
Your Own Election Analyst 10.07.04
A
Promise to Be Fair and Transparent
9.30.04
The
Power of Forgiveness 9.23.04
Forget
Vietnam, We Need to Talk About Today's Issues
9.16.04
Democracy,
Inaction 9.9.04
Time
for Some Action at B-3 Stationhouse
9.2.04
Time
to Consider End to Can Drives 8.26.04
An
Odd Time to Close a Library 8.19.04
Kerry's
Vietnam Record Stands in Marked Contrast to Bush's Inner
Circle 8.12.04
Sports
Heroes Missing from City's Troubled Playing Fields
8.05.04
City
Accentuates the Positive, Even As Media Tunes Us Out
7.29.04
Welcome
to Boston, 2004 7.22.04
Words
of Welcome, Advice
.7.15.04
Corporate
Media Missteps Becoming All Too Common 7.8.04
Picking
Up Before the Dog Days 7.1.04
Sovereign
Missteps Should Be Forgiven 6.24.04
On
the Blurring Lines Between Church and
State
6.17.04
Ronald
Reagan's Eire Pub Adventure
6.10.04
First
Dorchester Day Tells Us Much About Our Own Times
6.3.04
Naysayers
Put Damper on July Convention 5.27.04
Romney
Assault on Gays Prompts Questions about His Own Mores on
Marriage 5.20.04
Tip-Top
Event on the Boulevard 5.13.04
Finneran
Will Survive Latest Witchhunt Against Him
5.6.04
Bill
Should Get Speaker's
Backing
4.29.04
To
Father, with Love
4.22.04
On
Iraq, Little Comfort from President's Words
4.15.04
Changes
Ahead at Caritas?
4.8.04
Two
Men Do Dorchester Proud
4.1.04
Globe
Swings into Action to Torpedo UMass Pick
3.25.04
A
Great Chance to Cross-Pollinate at Flower Show
3.18.04
Getting
to the Polls on Tuesday 2.26.04
A
Village in Need of Civic Activity 2.19.04
Elected
Officials Deserve Respect for Taking a Stand
2.12.04
Dunford
the Best Choice for Commisisoner 2.5.04
A
Cop's Cop
1.29.04
Radio's
Resident 'Dope-Slapper' Burns Listeners with Deception
1.22.04
A
Church of Change 1.15.04
No
Truth, Few Consequences 1.08.04
Looking
to Recapture That Political Magic in 2004
1.02.04
Who's
Watching Our Imperial Governor? 12.04.03
Time
to Right Wrongs on Gay Marriage 11.28.03
Busings
Brusies Still Deep and Unhealed
11.13.03
A
Mixed Shopping Bag 11.06.03
Council
Weigh-Ins
10.31.03
Venting
on The Day After 10.23.03
Something
in the Dirty Water 10.16.03
Dot's
Newest Bank Shows Great Promise for Growth and Community
Investment- 10.02.03
Memo
to Greenbush Foes: Get Over It
09.25.03
Increasingly,
Drugs Are Stealing Our Kids
09.18.03
A
Public Servant of the Highest Order
09.11.03
School,
Civic Season Begins in Earnest 09.04.03
Forgotten
Boston 08.21.03
Celebrities
Mock Our Republic
08.4.03
O'Malley
Will Lead from Within
08.07.03
Menino
Has Proved the Skeptics Wrong 07.31.03
A
Grand New Store for Dorchester
7.24.03
Legislators
Make Right Call in Bilingual Ed Reform
7.17.03
Hot
Weather Musings 7.10.03
The
Daunting Challenge That Awaits Archbishop O'Malley
7.2.03
Where
is all this traffic coming from?
6.26.03
A
Milton Miracle?
6.19.03
Taking
Pride in Our Own Yards and Sidewalks
6.12.03
What
Was Tom Reily Thinking?
6.5.03
A
Time to Celebrate Dorchester's Proud History
5.29.03
A
Wise Investment in Our City's Subway Stations
05.22.03
We
Need More Independent Media, Not Less
05.15.03
Bleak
Outlook for Summer Jobs for Kids
05.08.03
A
Sensible Framework for Dialogue on Dorms at
UMass
Celebrating
the Many Contributions of Non-Profit Dorchester
04.24.03
BI-Deaconess
Chooses Fenway Over City's Neediest
04.17.03
Finally,
Reaping the Benefits of the Big Dig
04.10.03
Leaning
on Each Other in a Time of War 04.03.03
A
Noble Way to Lend Our
Support
03.27.03
Don't
Blame Me...I Voted for the Democrat
03.20.03
Romney's
Vision Out of Synch with City's Needs
Media
Snipers Should Holster Their Weapons and Get Back to
Business 2.26.03
A
Touch of Home 'Over There' 2.20.03
The
JFK Library & Museum Remains a Great Local Resource
2.13.03
Anti-War
Measure Worthy of Council's Attention
2.6.03
Beth
Israel-Deaconess Medical Center Should Make a More Graceful
Exit from Columbia-Savin Hill 1.30.03
Ted
Kennedy Captures King's Legacy at the Right Time
1.23.03
Our
Legislators Deserve Their Modest Pay Raise
1.16.03
Heroic
Deeds and Tragic Failures:The Duality of Cardinal Law
12.12.02
Attacks
on Bulger Leave Questions About Press,
Abuse of Power 12.5.02
A
First Rate Appointment by Commissioner
Evans-11.14.02
Hart,
Jenkins, St. Fleur and O'Brien Will Get Our Vote
10.31.02
Time
to Check Rental Price Gouging 10.24.02
Broadcast
TV Ads Distort Elections 10.17.02
Spectre
of Drug Abuse Growing in Neighborhood
10.10.02
Feeney
Does a Tough Job and Does It Well 10.3.02
'Average'
Turnout Not Good Enough 9.26.02
Romney-
Healey Ticket Short on Substance 9.19.02
A
Wise Investment in Our Transit System
9.12.02
Lazy
Days of Summer Give Way to Political Prime Time
9.5.02
An
Impressive New 3 Decker in Fields Corner
8.29.02
Many
Questions Bubble As Heat Wave Subsides
8.22.02
A
New Home for City's Treasures 8.15.02
Time
for Real Plan on Columbia Point 8.8.02
Residency
Question Sparks Dialogue Among Reporter Readers
8.1.02
'Trickle
Down' Economics Back with a Vengeance
7.25.02
Williams
Saga Among the Saddest This Summer
7.18.02
City
Must Gird Itself for Renewed War on Crime
7.11.02
The
Declaration of Independence: A Transcription
7.03.02
Speaker
Acted for Constituents, Not Himself, Along Neponset
6.27.02
Quietly,
New Group of American Heroes Emerges
6.20.02
Next
Week's Zoning Hearing An Important One
6.13.02
Reality
TV... Too Close To Home 6.06.02
Dot
Day Parade a Time to Celebrate Common Bonds
5.30.02
Tough
Questions Await City's Zoning Board
5.23.02
Law,
Church Losing Battle for Public Opinion by Default
5.16.02
Neighbors
Pull Together to Support Lawsuit
Victims-5.9.02
Time
for Community to Stand Up for Neighbors in Lower Mills
Lawsuit 5.02.02
Our
Parishes, Schools Likely to Bear Brunt of Scandal's Fallout
4.25.02
An
Intriguing Solution to Supermarket Standoff in Lower Mills
4.18.02
Church
Leaders Must Face Justice for Criminal Acts
A
Victory for Everyone in Uphams Corner
4.04.02
ABCD
Still Going Strong After 40 Years
03.28.02
A
Homegrown Solution to Mitt's Star Power
03.21.02
Fatality
Highlights Hazards of Columbia Rd.
03.14.02
Diversity
Compromised by Democrats' Caucus 3.07.02
Final
Act Needed in Lower Mills Supermarket War
2.28.02
Developers
Need to Do the Right Thing in Lower
Mills
Brigham's
is Gone, Now What's to Become of Us? 2.14.02
Pats
Set Tone for a Great Sports Year
Dot
Residency Not Only Quality Sought in Senator 1.31.02
Joe
Fahey's Enduring Legacy
1.24.02
Demand
for Rental Housing Ebbs and Flows
1.17.02
Repairs
to Begin on Lower Mills Bridge
1.10.02
Another's
Man Poison
Finneran's
Experience, Leadership Is the Right Fit for a Trying
Time
Will
Stop & Shop Repeat Mistakes Made in Lower
Mills?
Map
Continues Ugly Tradition of Dividing Dorchester
12.6.01
Time
to Shed Biases and Consider Dot's True Identity-11.29.01
BostonVote
Leads Way Towards Election
Reform-11.23.01
Honoring
Heroes in Our Midst
Paul Christian Seems Right Choice for Fire
Commissioner
Finally,
A Dorchester Senate
Seat-11.8.01
Hennigan
Stands Out for At-Large
Council-11.1.01
Hypocrisy
Finds Home in
Newton-10.25.01
Focus
Now Turns to All-Important Redistricting Effort
Great
Hall Breakfast Sends Right
Message-10.11.01
'GBH
Reporter Misreads Meaning of Flag,
Professionalism-10.4.01
We're
Willing to Pay for Trained, Reliable
Security-9.27.01
Day
of Terror, Months of Anxiety-
9.20.01
The
Kind of Person The Country Needs Right Now-9.13.01
New
Parking Challenges at
UMass-8.30.01
Proof
That Crimes Aren't Just City
Problem-8.9.01
Silly
Season Starts Early in Council
Election-8.2.01
Future
Facility a More Fitting Symbol for
UMass-7.26.01
Speaker
Opens Windows On Redistricting
Process
Time
to Celebrate Our Waterfront
7.12.01
Koalas
Will Spend Summer in Our Backyard
6.21.01
"We
Do It in Dorchester"
6.7.01
Advice
to Max Kennedy: Just Say "No"
5.24.01
Why
Is City Hall Dividing Dorchester?
5.17.01
Saluting
a Hero Among Us- Dr. Tom
Durant-4.26.01
Let's
Give Gov. Swift a Fair Shot-
4.12.01
Dot
Dig May Need A Traffic Summit-3.29.01
Clarifying
Some Confusion Over Boundaries-
3.15.01
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