Crime drops in Allston despite murder; rape cases increase

4/11/08The murder of a man in Allston broke the pattern of low violent crime in the area as demonstrated in recently released crime statistics.

Luis G. Ortiz, 25, was shot and killed on Linden Street in Allston, around 2 a.m. Saturday, March 29, by an acquaintance, Thomas B. Manning, 22, according to police. Capt. Frank Mancini of the Boston Police Department in Allston, said, "These were two people who knew each other. They were in a car together and the car was mobile."

Mancini said that the fact that the men were driving around in a car at the time of the murder suggests that the shooting was not native to Allston. "This could have happened anywhere."

Mancini said, however, that this type of crime is rare, that's why it became news. "This is the type of situation where crime is so low in Allston and Brighton that when you're doing well and a homicide happens, it makes news. Here, we're actually shocked by the fact it occurred."

Recent crime statistics released prior to the murder indicated a decrease in most violent and non-violent crime in Allston. The report compared crime in the area from Jan. 1 - March 23, 2007, to the same time period this year. At the time of the report, there were no homicides reported in either year.

The report said that robberies in the area decreased from 25 last year to 18 this year. Aggravated assault went down from 47 to 31 incidents; motor vehicle theft went from 45 to 37; larceny went from 274 to 259, and burglary dropped from 127 incidents in 2007 to 53 so far in 2008.

One crime in the area did go up - rape. Rape increased from two incidents last year to nine this year. Mancini said that the majority of the rapes involved college students partying and alcohol. "Use of alcohol in an irresponsible way that can lead to crime," he said.

Mancini said that despite the murder last weekend, the overall drop in crime in Allston is encouraging, but he acknowledged, "a lot of our crime stats could be a lot lower."

Mancini said police in the area have made a concerted effort to lower crime in Allston. "We've had several initiatives. One of the key reasons for the reduction in crime is the quick response of uniformed officers.Several arrests have been made from burglaries when we've caught people literally with a bag of goodies climbing out of a window."

Allston-Brighton resident Michael Ferraro said that he has noticed the efforts of local police to better the neighborhood. "Where I live has become pretty quiet," he said. "I've seen the police come in and shut down problems."

Police in the area are also working with property managers in Allston-Brighton to ensure that all security measures are being taken in buildings in the area. "We found security measures that needed to be improved," Mancini said. "There were broken door locks and screens. "

Police, Mancini said, believe that there are professional thieves in Allston who search for people to prey on, making it even more important for residents in the neighborhood to make sure they take all proper security measures in their home. "What we have are professional thieves that are predators and will walk through buildings trying doors," Mancini said.

Nick Hosier, manager of AutoZone in Allston, said the store has experienced crime in the past but has noticed a change in Allston this year. "It feels safer here," he said. "Our customers feel safer parking here and feel more like they can come in the store at night."

Hosier said, "The police are doing their jobs. We've had times in the past when we've had to a call about a burglary and they've been pretty fast about getting here."

Ferraro said, "I know the police are doing the best they can. "

Allston councilman Mark Ciommo was contacted for his response to the murder in the area, but at press time, he had issued no response.