From the desk of Captain James M. Claiborne:

On Oct. 31, I took off my Boston Police badge for the last time. It was a privilege for me to serve the Dorchester/Mattapan community. Together we have reduced the violent crime rate by almost 50 percent. For a commander that is a great accomplishment, but this feat could not have come into fruition without the support of the community and the officers assigned under my command. Thank you.

Upon my departure, Lt. Joseph Boyle has taken command. (See story, Page 2) He will serve and protect you with dignity and respect. I request that you give him the same support that you bestowed upon me and together you will be able to minimize crime and make it your footstool.

– James M. Claiborne

Sometimes the tricks on Halloween are not very funny and they are often very expensive.

Oct. 31, 9:55 a.m. – Victim stated to officers that he parked his vehicle on Powellton Road in front of his house at 9 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 30. At 8 a.m. on Halloween, a neighbor rang his doorbell and notified him that his wheels were missing. The victim’s first thought was that his car had been stolen. Further inspection revealed that the car was parked in the same location but it was on cinder blocks and all four tires were missing. A witness did see a male taking a tire off the vehicle at 11:30 p.m., but she thought it was the owner.

Oct. 31, 9:17 p.m. – Officers responded to Wilmore Street for a vandalism report. When the officers arrived at that location they observed that the left side of the house and a white Nissan parked on the street had been spray-painted. Both the house and the vehicle had the words, “child molester” written on them in orange paint. The front and back license plates on the vehicle were painted black and the perpetrator also threw eggs and tomatoes on the house.

Oct. 31, 11:40 p.m. – Officers responded to a radio call for a robbery at Blue Hill Ave. and Vesta Rd. Victim stated to officers that two unknown suspects chased him down the street, hit him in the head with a hammer, knocked him to the ground, and took his wallet which contained an ID, a Social Security Card, and $300. Victim complained of pains in his right knee and a headache resulting from the hole in his head from the hammer.

Nov. 1, 1:20 a.m. – Shortly after the clock struck midnight, shots rang out at the intersection of Glenway and Erie streets, leaving two victims hospitalized. A 22-year-old male was shot in the lower left leg and a 21-year old-female received a gunshot wound that entered under her right armpit and lodged in her left stomach cavity, causing internal bleeding. She is in critical condition. The male victim informed officers that he was leaving a house party on Glenway Street when he heard what appeared to be gunshots and felt a pain in his left leg. He further stated that he entered an unknown vehicle and was driven to the Carney Hospital. After driving to the hospital, the unknown operator disappeared.

Nov. 1, 4:21 p.m. – Victim stated to officers that she was sitting in her living room watching television when she heard a loud bang consistent with a gunshot coming from her kitchen. She went to investigate and observed a hole in an adjacent wall between her apartment and the apartment next door and a shell casing lying on the kitchen floor. The victim’s brother spoke with her 15-year-old neighbor, who stated, “Oh yeah, I was playing with one of them things, you know.” When the victim mentioned this to the 15-year-old suspect’s mother, she said, “I don’t know what my son has done because I just got home.” The victim heard the suspect tell his two friends, “Hey, we got to get out of here.”

Nov. 1, 12:53 a.m. – A frantic 22-year-old female called 911 stating that a man with a machete was chasing her on Torrey Street. A concerned neighbor heard the woman screaming for help and went to ensure her safety. As the neighbor entered the apartment, the suspect gave the machete to his friend, who left the apartment with the weapon. When the 64-year-old concerned neighbor asked the suspect to leave the female’s apartment, the suspect grabbed a hammer. The elderly gentleman took the hammer from the 24-year old suspect and held it until police arrival. The suspect told officers that he had an ongoing feud with the victim due to her role in his eviction. The suspect was arrested and charged with assault by means of a dangerous weapon.

At 9:46 p.m., officers responded to the same location for shots fired. The female victim stated to officers that she believed that the shots were meant for her because earlier in the day the suspect’s brother threatened to shoot her for getting his brother arrested.

Nov. 1, 1:46 a.m. – Officers responded to a convenience store located on Norfolk Street for a B&E. Upon arrival, officers observed a big hole in the rear wall above the bathroom. The owner also responded and took an inventory and discovered that two boxes of Newport Cigarettes and several boxes of blunt tobacco paper were missing.

A Celebration

Please join us on Nov. 20 in celebrating James M. Claiborne’s retirement. The place: Venezia, located at 20 Ericsson Street, Dorchester. For tickets, please contact the Community Service Office at 617-343-4717.