National Night Out

Although National Night Out was not celebrated in Roslindale this year, as it had been for the last 9 years, Roslindale residents were honored for their service to the community at celebrations on the eve of National Night Out at a city-wide event and on the day itself at Iacona Park in Hyde Park.

On Monday, August 3, Healthy Roslindale Director Cathy Slade was honored as the ”Crime Fighter of the Year” by Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Police Commissioner Kathleen M. O’Toole. The award is presented yearly to a Boston resident “in recognition of outstanding support of the crime prevention activities that serve as an inspiration to others to keep up the fight against crime in Boston.”
According to the Director of the Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit, Judith Wright who presented the award, Slade’s involvement in fighting crime dates back to 1991, when she began a crime watch on her own street. Since then she has been encouraging others to start crime watch groups and providing technical assistance to them. Ms. Slade also organizes Public Safety meetings on a quarterly basis for residents, merchants and crime watch leaders to discuss issues that relate to the Roslindale community. As a result of strategizing at these meetings, Healthy Roslindale has led many police/community initiatives that address neighborhood concerns.

Receiving a “Top Ten Crime Watch of the Year” Award was the Vista Street Crime Watch. The group was recognized for their organizing efforts that include 100% membership on the street, their consistency in holding meetings, sharing of leadership responsibilities among members, the positive relationship with police and city officials, and the resultant low crime rate. They serve as a model for other crime watch groups.

At Lacona Park, Bob Mason and Chet Smith were honored for their leadership of the “Friends of Healy Field.” The crime watch group was organized two years ago for residents of Bexley Road and neighboring streets. Members have worked consistently to implement crime watch techniques to report drug dealing and prostitution in the area. They have worked closely with city officials to implement measures to reduce speeding on quiet narrow streets and provide safer pedestrian crossings. Their efforts have expanded to address issues of safety and lighting at Healy Field.