At a recent virtual meeting, the Allston Civic Association (ACA) gathered roughly 30 residents to discuss neighborhood concerns, with a noticeable uptick in crime topping the agenda. Reporting for The Bulletin, journalist Jeff Sullivan highlighted remarks from Boston Police D-14 Officer Christine Marini, who reviewed March’s crime activity. The most serious incident was a shooting outside a Burger King on Brighton Avenue, where one juvenile shot another following an argument; the victim survived with non-life-threatening injuries, and the suspect turned himself in shortly after. While such violent incidents raised concern, Marini noted that residential break-ins—typically a major issue—were unusually low for the month.
Other reported incidents included three commercial break-ins, an armed robbery at a 7/11 on Cambridge Street, and a continued rise in package thefts across the neighborhood. Marini urged residents to consider secure delivery options, such as pickup lockers at local stores, to prevent theft. She also pointed to a string of bike thefts—even those secured with locks—suggesting residents invest in stronger or multiple locking systems. Additional concerns included vandalism, such as individuals placing stickers on public property, which police emphasized is considered illegal. Overall, the meeting underscored both ongoing challenges and the importance of community awareness and prevention efforts.