This letter has been adapted from a letter that a homeowner on Kerwin Street in Dorchester sent to city officials on Aug. 18.
I am writing to express serious concern about the lack of response to multiple 911 calls I placed regarding a large illegal street party in my neighborhood. Between the night of Sunday, August 17th, and into the early morning hours of Monday, August 18th, I called 911 multiple times to report an extremely loud gathering of well over 100 people near Talbot Avenue and Kerwin Street in Dorchester.
Despite these calls, no Boston Police response was observed.
The noise and size of the gathering woke me up from my sleep. From my bedroom window, I witnessed the party continue to grow louder and larger, and I ultimately saw the entire shooting unfold at around 2:30 a.m. This violence happened directly in front of my home where I live and raise children.
I firmly believe that had police responded to the noise complaints, both mine and those of my neighbors earlier in the night before the party grew, this dangerous situation could have been de-escalated before it escalated into gun violence.
I understand there may be certain levels of tolerance around large gatherings in certain neighborhoods, but public safety cannot be compromised.
Residents deserve to know that when we call 911 to report unlawful disturbances, those calls will be taken seriously, regardless of the neighborhood or perceived cultural norms.
I urge city leadership and the Boston Police Department to review this incident and take immediate steps to ensure that community complaints are acted upon promptly, especially in areas already vulnerable to late-night violence.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Jamison Johnson
Dorchester
