A new business, Pinkberry has opened its doors on Hanover Street with a flair, conducting an opening day community event serving free yogurt to those that attended.
Hundreds of people, potential customers, turned out for the special business event.
More police presence in the North End was clearly expressed by residents at last week’s District A-1 Boston Police Public Safety monthly meeting held in the Nazzaro Community Center.
Over fifty residents told sergeant Tom Lema that the greatest need in the community is additional police patrols especially to control the current growth of teenagers gatherings with numbers anywhere from 20 to 50 at a time.
These groups have been reported congregating in the area adjacent to the Sterite Rink and the DeFilippo playground, drinking, creating noise and urinating in the areas.
Residents were also concerned about teens coming from out of town, not only to drink in the community but assault their children.
One resident claimed she had to step in and prevent a local teen from being assaulted and possibly stabbed.
Sergeant Lema told resident that he will be suggesting fixed police post in these areas, have special operations and motorcycle patrols in the areas as well.
An online survey, with close to three hundred responses, was presented to Sergeant Lema favoring more police protection in the North End.
NEWNC President Stephen Passacantilli put together the survey at the request of the neighborhood group and other local residents.
Complaints were also registered by residents concerning motorcyclist loud noise from revving up their vehicles when passing through or visiting the North End.
One Hanover Street business owner told the Review, “The noise from these motorcycles is so loud you can’t hear the person next to you speaking. They rev up the engines next to my business, shooting exhaust into my open windows.â€
The owner noted, “They gather in the small court next to my business and talk loudly as well and dump cigarette butts all over the place.†He said, “When I asked them to please move, they told me to go……. myself.â€
Sergeant Lema reported that several arrests were made over the past 30 days relating to drugs and larceny.
According to a police report handed out at the meeting pertaining to part one crimes in District A-1 over the past 30 days, there were no homicides, no sexual assaults and no community disorder incidents reported.
The same report indicated there was 1 robbery, 1 breaking and entering, 4 auto thefts, 8 larcenies and 1 case of graffiti.
During the same time period, 12 vehicles were towed, 95 motor vehicle violations and 247 parking citations were written.