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				Welcome to the Allston Neighborhood Crime Watch Information Pages Courtesy of Emerald Necklace Budo Martial Arts Helpful Telephone Numbers The Whistle Alert Program Women's Self-Defense Related Links About The Ringer Park Crime Watch Group The Ringer Park Crime Watch was established in August of 2003 by a group of concerned area residents. The primary focus of the group is the safety, cleanliness, and accessibility of Allston's Ringer Park Playground and its immediate surrounding streets. Working together, the group is helping to grow a strong sense of community in the neighborhood. Each summer, the Ringer Park Crime Watch Group holds its Annual Crime Watch barbecue in Ringer Park. During National Night out in August of 2004, the Ringer Park Crime Watch Group was recognized by Boston city officials as one of the Top Ten Crime Watches in the City of Boston. The group holds its meetings at the Jackson Mann Community Center at 7:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month. All are welcome to attend. For more information, please contact Jason Gould, Crime Watch Coordinator, at (617) 230-1973. Working with local officials, the Boston Police, the Municipal Police, the Parks Department, and other agencies, the Ringer Park Crime Watch Group continually works on the following issues: Increasing and maintaining nighttime lighting in and around Ringer Park Playground Reporting homeless/vagrant activity in and around the park Discouraging vandalism, Illegal drug activity, and violence in the park by increasing the visibility of law enforcement Fostering a harmonious relationship between local residents and Allston's large population of university students Ensuring a clean and safe environment by organizing and participating in park cleanups Developing positive relationships with other local groups and organizations, including the West End House Boys and Girls Club, the Jackson Mann School and Community Center, the Ringer Park Dog Owners, the Allston Brighton Community Development Group, and Allston Main Streets The Group's current initiatives include: Making "Mutt Mitt" bags available in the park for local dog owners to pick up after their pets Clearing and cutting back excess growth to increase the lines of visibility along park trails Posting Neighborhood Crime Watch signs in the area surrounding Ringer Park Playgroun Getting the crosswalks on Allston Street repainted to make street crossing safer for the neighborhood's children Helpful Telephone Numbers Boston Police Headquarters Headquarters Main Number 617-343-4200 Domestic Violence Unit 617-343-4350 Child Abuse Hotline 800-792-5200 Community Disorders Unit (Civil Rights) 617-343-4527 Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit 617-343-4345 Boston Police District 14: Allston/Brighton D-14 Main Number 617-343-4260 Community Service Officer: Sgt. Fogerty 617-343-4376 Youth Service Officer: P.O. Chris Rogers Senior Response Officer: P.O. Bill Murray Drug Sergeant: Sgt. Det. James Fong 617-343-4986 Auto Investigator: P.O. Michael Butler 617-343-4257 Other Departments and Agencies Boston School Police 617-343-5526 Boston Housing Authority Police 617-422-1212 MBTA Police 617-222-1212 Municipal Police 617-635-3500 Massachusetts State Police 617-740-7600 Mayor's Constituent Services 24-hr. Hotline 617-635-4500 Office of Neighborhood Services 617-635-3485 Animal Control 617-635-5348 Inspectional Services 617-635-5352 Parks & Recreation 617-635-4505 The Whistle Alert Program What is the Whistle Alert? How do I participate? When Should the whistle be used? What do I do if I hear an emergency whistle? How do I get a whistle? What is the Whistle Alert? The Whistle Alert Program is a means of communication whereby neighbors "armed" with a whistle can immediately signal each other in the event of an emergency. When participants of the program hear the whistle, they know that they should respond by immediately calling 911. People feel more confident walking through their neighborhood knowing that their neighbors will aid them if the need arises. Using the whistle can stop even the most serious crime in progress. It is a fast form of communication that, when used, notifies criminals that crime will not be tolerated in the area. The Ringer Park Crime Watch has decided to participate in the city's Whistle Alert program in conjunction with the Boston Police Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit. How do I participate? You can participate in the Whistle Alert Program whether you choose to carry a whistle or not. Being aware of the program means you can respond to an emergency whistle being blown. If you take a whistle, you commit to responding if you hear a whistle being blown, and you agree to use your whistle only in an emergency. When Should the whistle be used? If you are in danger, feel threatened, or witness a crime in progress, blow your whistle loudly and for as long as possible until help arrives or the threat is gone. The purpose of the whistle is not to physically intervene, but to startle an aggressor and to attract attention to the individual making the noise. What do I do if I hear an emergency whistle? If you should hear a shrill-sounding whistle being blown in or around Ringer Park Playground, it is an indication that someone needs immediate help. If you are in your home, call 911 immediately and inform the operator that you hear an emergency whistle being blown in your vicinity. If you are outside with a cell phone, call 617-343-4911 and report the same information. If you are carrying your own whistle, you should blow it as well. This will attract even more attention to the scene of the emergency, and indicate to any attacker that there are other people in the area. How do I get a whistle? Free whistles are provided to local crime watch groups by the Boston Police. You may also obtain a whistle by contacting Jason Gould, Crime Watch Coordinator, at 617-230-1973 or by attending one of the Ringer Playground Crime Watch meetings held on the first Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Jackson Mann Community Center. Thank you for helping to keep our neighborhood and park safe! Related Links This page contains useful information about personal safety, risk reduction, and how you can get involved in your local area. To find out more information about the Ringer Park Crime Watch Group in Allston, please contact Jason Gould, Crime Watch Coordinator, at (617) 230-1973. If you live outside of the Ringer Park area, and you would like to increase the safety and sense of community in your neighborhood, we encourage you to start a Crime Watch of your own. Good luck! Massachusetts Neighborhood Crime Watch Commission The Massachusetts Neighborhood Crime Watch Commission (MNCWC) was established in October 1992. The Commission was created to assist in the establishment of neighborhood crime watch programs across the state, and to help coordinate existing agencies and organizations with an interest in crime watch activities. Teens, Crime, and the Community A national program about teens getting involved in crime prevention to make themselves safer and their communities stronger. Youth and adults across the country have embraced both TCC's principles and tools because they know it works. Whether applied in rural, urban, or suburban areas, TCC is a low-cost, flexible, proven program for empowering youth to protect themselves and help them to take active roles in crime prevention in their communities. National Crime Prevention Council NCPC's Mission is to enable people to create safer and more caring communities by addressing the causes of crime and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to occur. National Citizens' Crime Prevention Campaign The Campaign was the first public education program on crime prevention in the country. It is designed to stimulate community involvement and generate confidence in comprehensive crime prevention activities.





			95 Everett Street • Allston, MA 02134 • 617-202-3856 © Emerald Necklace Budo, 2003