Recent suspicious activities on Boston and Palmetto

[Julee L. Disgrazzi]

Hi Officer Coglio and Renee,   I'm writing to let you know that the car break-ins and other violations on Boston and Palmetto are visibly increasing as the days grow longer and the nighttime temperatures become more pleasant.   Last night, a red Ford Explorer parked in front of 2468 Palmetto was burgled.  Around 9:30, I noticed 2 young black men (late teens, early 20's – wearing hoodies, so no, I couldn’t get a good look at them) casing the street.  Of course, at the time I thought that I was just being paranoid as I watched them walk up and down both Palmetto and Boston several times, but when I saw the smashed window this morning, my suspicions were unfortunately confirmed too late.  I was in my front room with the window open until midnight and didn’t hear anything, so either they were very quiet and because my light was on they stayed away, or they hit the Explorer early in the morning.   Wednesday night, Mookie was involved in a domestic violence concern.  Around 6:30PM, 2 OPD cars were at his apartment on Boston to investigate child abuse accusations (I heard all of this from my kitchen and backyard as screaming on the street brought the neighborhood out to investigate).  Mookie is always a loose canon and I know you keep an eye on him but I nevertheless wonder what influences his presence brings to the neighborhood.   On Sunday night of this week, a neighbor of mine was walking by my house around 8:30PM and noticed a group of people sitting in a parked car on the corner of Boston and Palmetto smoking a crack pipe.  He told me he called it in.   Several weeks ago, we had another car break in at 2468 Palmetto Street.    2 car break-ins within the last month is 2 too many, and crack is never an element I'd like to see on the street. The 9 o’clock/early night time frame for suspicious characters may be the common element.  Perhaps we should have more patrols in our neighborhood during that time?   It's clear that issues in our neighborhood are on the rise and I'm concerned that if these activities continue to escalate, what we will all be facing this summer.    I maintain that if were successful in eliminating 2-way traffic on Boston, that it would go far in reducing the nuisance behaviors (loud cars speeding through our neighborhood and trash on the streets) and eliminating the much more serious crimes (car break-ins, home burglaries, prostitution, drug dealing).    I will arrange a neighborhood watch meeting within the next few weeks to discuss our concerns, but in the meantime, I seek your input and extend my thanks for all of your support.   On a final note, I'd like to offer my condolences for the loss of the 4 officers needlessly killed earlier this week.  I am so very sorry and wish you much hope and strength.   All the best,   -Julee