By Rick Winterson

     Over 200 South Boston residents met with elected officials and the police last Saturday.  The cause was Jean Lampron’s tragic murder.  The issue: what must be done?

     The hour and day were both unusual – Saturday morning, October 22, at 10 a.m.  Nevertheless, more than 200 concerned South Boston citizens showed up at the Condon School for a meeting.  The meeting was held in response to the death of Jean Lampron.

     Almost everyone knows her tragic story.  At 5:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 13, near the intersection of D and Fifth Streets, she was attacked by a bicycle-riding thief who snatched her purse.  She apparently was dragged for some distance, and either the stress or the exertion brought on a major heart attack.  The assailant fled on foot, leaving his bicycle behind.  A doctor passing by rendered assistance, and Lampron was gotten to Boston Medical Center, where she died early Friday, October 14.

     Community outrage led to City Councilor Jim Kelly and other officials convening a meeting, where the outbreak of violence in South Boston could be addressed.  An informal panel consisting of Kelly, state Sen. Jack Hart, state Rep. Brian Wallace, City Council President Michael Flaherty, Police Supt. Robert Dunford, Det.-Sgt. Kevin Finn, and Amanda Simon from Mayor Menino’s office took the stage in the Condon School cafeteria.  They were greeted by an angry overflow crowd,.

     Community Center Coordinator Helen Allix opened the proceedings.  Jim Kelly then spoke warmly and sadly of Jean Lampron’s life, saying that her loss is the reason for the meeting.  He articulated nine points of discussion that could help reduce violence and crime: parental control, respect from youth, more street workers, regular neighborhood meetings that lead to coordinated Crime Watches, increased police pressure (foot patrols, motorcycles, etc.), zero tolerance for the homeless and beggars, swift punishment for youth offenders, curfews, and video surveillance.  The money for these efforts?  “Take $10 million from Boston’s transportation budget”, was Kelly’s suggestion.

     Sen. Jack Hart then spoke.  In no uncertain terms, he said, “We have to take back our community.  Where is our outrage?  These are our kids who are doing this, not outsiders.  Jean Lampron represents all of us – we have to make sure it never happens again.”  Councilor Flaherty said that, as a parent, “I’m worried.  We have become an unhealthy neighborhood - let’s face it.  We’ll have meetings with the youth, but we need your help.”

     Rep. Wallace referred back to his own youth by mentioning the tough kids that were around then.  But, he added, there was not the total disrespect he sees today – beatings of the elderly, harassment by junkies, and so on.  Among the controls he suggested was a new, locally-funded, store-front coordination center for Crime Watch groups working all over South Boston.

     Supt. Dunford admitted to the crowd that his department is understaffed, but pointed out that even at the best, he won’t have new officers available for at least another six months.  He then stated bluntly, “Don’t ask the police to do the parents’ jobs.  You have community and family issues you need to address first.”  Det.-Sgt. Finn of C-6 gave an update of the homicide investigation.  The bicycle is being examined forensically.  All leads are being checked out, but he asked for more information, even if it appears to be an unimportant detail.

     A number of questions and answers followed.  All expressed sorrow and anger.  All demanded immediate action.  Between them, the five elected officials who participated in the meeting pledged a $5,000 reward for information leading to the criminal’s apprehension.  Action was promised, but no deadlines or specific lists of actions were established.  Another community meeting will be held soon.