crime activity in Brookline/Brighton area? (apartment, rent, crime rate)

[ratatouille]

I have an apartment that I'm interested in, in the 1900 block of Beacon St. It's not as upscale as the more lower numbered portions of Beacon but at the same time I wouldn't call the area ghetto. My concern is that a quick search of crime reports showed multiple people being arrested for heroin use in the basement of the exact address of the apartment that interests me. It's from a year ago but to people who know the area, does this sound like something typical or an isolated incident? As far as I know, the landlord does not rent out the basement (hasn't been converted into an apartment)

[goyguy]

To me that sounds extremely A-typical. The people arrested were probably college students or neighborhood juvies. Brookline is a suburb with an urban feel to it, suburban in the sense that the schools are excellent and the crime rate is low. Farther out Beacon St toward Cleveland Circle, and northward going into Allston, the area does take on a shabby appearance. But that's mainly a consequence of transient populations and absentee landlords, neither of which are notorious for meticulous building and grounds upkeep. Speaking of which - your main concern about your potential dwelling itself should be how well secured it is. From the sound of it, the folks who made the cellar their "shooting gallery" had found a way to get in. Nothing much can be done about upstairs neighbors who buzz the front door open without finding out who's there, but all entranceways should be locked from the inside (with a safe means of exit in case of fire) and any alleys ought to be brightly lit at night.
Anything can change, and in much less time than a year. I wouldn't worry about some bygone incidents, at least not in Brookline.

[shiver]

The area around 1900 Beacon is in the Cleveland Circle area of Brighton. It's a pretty safe neighborhood. I think that you're just out of Brookline and into Brighton at that point. Lots of college students from BC and BU in that area so it has more of the gritty student neighborhood feel of Brighton and Allston than the lower portions of Beacon.

Overall, it's a safe neighborhood. It's more of a young neighborhood; lots of students and young professionals. If you're older, you may not enjoy the vibe. Do you have a good feeling about the building? Is it decently maintained? You can always go to the police station and get a copy of the police report.

[clevedark]

That's almost at the reservoir--there's a clump of collegy apt. buildings, but the area is very safe. It looks a little questionable, but it's only a tiny little dab of drabness in a very upscale area.

The pool/skating rink is esp. dingy looking. But you'll be fine.