August 21, 2008

By Barbara Kelly, Rick Winterson

Constant evening disturbances around Tynan and Gate of Heaven, including numerous illegal activities, have plagued nearby residents this summer.  A community meeting was held last Wednesday to act upon this problem.

Since school let out in June, loose-knit gangs of teenagers have taken to hanging out near and around the Tynan School and Community Center.  These groups reportedly were gathering from early evening, through the 9 p.m. “No Trespassing” limit, until early morning hours.  When the police began keeping a closer eye on the Tynan, the teenagers simply relocated their activities to nearby areas - between the Gate of Heaven Church and the School, around the Telephone Company, and so on.

Last Wednesday evening, August 13, angry, desperate residents gathered together at a meeting in the Tynan Community Center.  City Councilor Bill Linehan led the meeting; over 100 people attended.  Officials present included Councilor Linehan, Rep. Brian Wallace, a representative from Sen. Hart’s office, Captain Flaherty (BPD C-6), Sgt. Mike Talbot (Public School Police), Community Center Coordinator Helen Allix, Gate of Heaven Principal Sr. Patricia, CYO Athletic Director Kevin Lally, and the owner of the 7-11 Store, which has been subjected to nightly theft and vandalism.

The comments from irate residents were typified by, “It’s unbearable!” and “These kids simply don’t care.”  Captain Flaherty confirmed, “This place is a ‘hot spot’ of activity.”  As the meeting progressed, Councilor Linehan said, “We need to be more aggressive.  Order needs to be restored here.”  Residents asked about installing locked gates, putting more street workers in the area, and placing the worst offenders under restraining orders.  As usual, most of these gang members are “followers”, so publicly identifying and singling out the few “ringleaders” was recommended.

On an immediate basis, the “No Trespassing after 9 p.m.” signs will be replaced with signs banning trespassing at any time.  In a brief telephone interview with Capt. Flaherty, he stated he has put an evening beat officer in the neighborhood, who will be detailed there until school begins after Labor Day.  This has put a temporary stop to the offending activities.  He wasn’t sure when the signs would be changed.  Perhaps it’s just a matter of painting out the “9 p.m.” time limits on the existing signs.

Residents of the disturbed area should use 9-1-1 whenever the slightest problems arise, followed by more follow-up calls to 9-1-1, and then by calls to (617)343-4737.  Whenever a call is made to that number, be sure to ask for the “Duty Supervisor”.

During another telephone interview, Councilor Linehan’s office said there appear to be many groups involved in the Tynan/Gate of Heaven trouble – young teenagers soon after dark, older teenagers towards midnight, and some twenty-somethings as late as 2 a.m. when the bars close on Broadway.  The preventive program for these youths has three steps: parental involvement first, then the “Diversion Program” option, and finally, an arrest and booking.  Councilor Linehan has pledged to talk with the kids himself, and wants to hear from residents at william.linehan@cityofboston.gov concerning these issues.

In case this seems a bit alarmist, here’s a summary of complaints from local residents: loud noise into the early hours of the morning, public drinking, underage drinking, drug selling and using, vandalism, public sexual behavior, public urination, and disposal of used needles and condoms on school and church property.  None of these complaints have been confirmed, but they indicate an extremely severe set of problems.

As an editorial comment, most of the gang members have been identified.  Almost all of them are from here – from South Boston.  It makes you wonder why their parents let them be exposed to such troublemaking.

Have conditions improved at the Tynan? Let us know.
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