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Crime Watch
Highland Park Neighborhood

Neighborhood Crime Watch

The crime rate in the Roxbury Highlands is very low and for that we are very thankful to the police and to the neighbors who keep a lookout and are active in the crime watch program. The prevention of crime in the Roxbury Highlands is a shared responsibility between law enforcement officials and private citizens/residents. No number of officers, squad cars or close patrols can effectively combat the problem alone. It is absolutely essential that a concerned neighbors join hands with law enforcement in an active joint campaign to keep crime low in the neighborhood. We ask all residents to be a part of crime watch. Very simply, Crime Watch involves

  • Get to know your neighbors and become familiar with their routines.
  • You are going to be partners in watching the activities on your block.
  • Keep a trusted neighbor informed if you are going on vacation.
  • Look after your neighbor's house when s/he is away, and ask him/her to look after yours.
  • This includes collecting mail, newspapers, and other deliveries that would indicate to a criminal that the homeowners are away. It would be best to stop the mail and newspaper delivery.
  • Leave your neighbor a way to contact you in case of an EMERGENCY.

Be suspicious, but not paranoid. Report unusual or suspicious behavior to the police. Remember, it is the police officer’s job to check things out, not your job. The more that police officers are seen in the neighborhood, the more word gets around that this is not a safe neighborhood for a criminal.  Be alert for the following behaviors:

  • A stranger entering your neighbor's house.
  • Anyone removing accessories, license plates, or gasoline from a vehicle.
  • Persons entering businesses after hours.
  • Persons loitering around schools, parks, businesses, or secluded areas.
  • Open or broken windows on vehicles, houses, or businesses.
  • Unusual noises: screaming, continual barking dogs, gunshots, breaking glass.
  • Vehicles driving without headlights after dark, or following a repetitive course.
  • Parked, occupied vehicles.
  • Vehicles being loaded with valuables from unattended homes or businesses.
  • Persons running through yards.
  • Continual heavy human traffic to and from a particular residence.
  • Abandoned vehicle parked on your block.

Write down descriptions of the person (s) and license plate numbers of any vehicles involved.

    • RACE, SEX, HAIR (color, length)
    • EYES, AGE, HEIGHT
    • WEIGHT, HAT, COAT
    • TROUSERS, SHOES, SCARS & MARKS
    • Unusual characteristics (i.e. accent)
    • Direction of travel or escape
    • Vehicle license plate number, Car Make & Color

If you need to call, call 911 from your home phone. If using a cell phone be sure to tell the operator that you need "Boston" since cell phones go to the state 911 number automatically because they could be calling from anywhere in the state. Home phones are automatically routed to the Boston emergency operator.