Shootings/Crime in Boston reach historic low in 2023 - in addition to significant drop in homicides (Brockton: attorney, unemployment)

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by ormari

When I lived up there, I found the Boston police to be fairly reasonable when it came to the challenges of parking in Boston, like you say. Somerville/Cambridge policies were a different story. When it came to parking, I always felt like parking in Somerville was a little slice of hell. The city institutionalized a hatred of students by way of its parking policy, and it oozed from the city employees in interactions with them. They made little accommodation for those who weren’t townies. Parking policies penalized students, but were also punitive toward the yuppie (non-townie) residents in my neighborhood as well. That trickled down into citizen behavior toward one another. I remember watching a fist fight over a parking space in the aftermath of a snow storm. Coming from elsewhere, it was a little surreal, and totally off-putting.

I’ll always look back somewhat fondly at the time I lived in Somerville because of the friends I made during that time, but the complete animus toward residents was unforgivable. I wouldn’t live there again.

This was my experience as well. Somerville's policies were so hard for students that most I knew opted to pay extra for a place with off street parking (or pay separately for a space off property) rather than deal with the process of obtaining a permit. Even if you were able to obtain one, Somerville was absolutely militant with parking enforcement. In my experience, it was easier to actually find a space and park on the street in Somerville than Boston, but the permitting and enforcement was horrible.

My first month in Somerville, I was ticketed at 12:02AM on Highland Avenue for violating the Street Sweeping restriction (which started at 12:00AM). I appealed because I truly didn't see a sign. I even took pictures of the block where I was parked and there wasn't a sign. At my appeal, the clerk brushed me off immediately, "there are signs that say it clearly. You need to look better." When I showed her my pictures, she grabbed some random guy (I assume a city employee) who said, "oh yeah, the sign there was hit and they haven't replaced it yet." He even pointed to the fresh blacktop where the post used to be. They still didn't overturn my ticket. She just shrugged and said that I should have walked further to look for another sign. Boston, on the other hand, gave me a freebie when I accidentally parked during "resident permit only" hours in the West End. I appealed online and just wrote that I misread the sign. I got a response that said essentially "we believe you to be in the wrong, but we'll waive this ticket." A different world.

The townie vs. students and yuppies thing was/is brutal. I don't miss it. It's still on full display on the Davis Square Facebook Group (I'm no longer a member, but it's public) if you are ever feeling nostalgic. I love Somerville and would still consider living there again. But the parking and enforcement was downright hostile.

[ormari]

Originally Posted by lrfox

This was my experience as well. Somerville's policies were so hard for students that most I knew opted to pay extra for a place with off street parking (or pay separately for a space off property) rather than deal with the process of obtaining a permit. Even if you were able to obtain one, Somerville was absolutely militant with parking enforcement. In my experience, it was easier to actually find a space and park on the street in Somerville than Boston, but the permitting and enforcement was horrible.

My first month in Somerville, I was ticketed at 12:02AM on Highland Avenue for violating the Street Sweeping restriction (which started at 12:00AM). I appealed because I truly didn't see a sign. I even took pictures of the block where I was parked and there wasn't a sign. At my appeal, the clerk brushed me off immediately, "there are signs that say it clearly. You need to look better." When I showed her my pictures, she grabbed some random guy (I assume a city employee) who said, "oh yeah, the sign there was hit and they haven't replaced it yet." He even pointed to the fresh blacktop where the post used to be. They still didn't overturn my ticket. She just shrugged and said that I should have walked further to look for another sign. Boston, on the other hand, gave me a freebie when I accidentally parked during "resident permit only" hours in the West End. I appealed online and just wrote that I misread the sign. I got a response that said essentially "we believe you to be in the wrong, but we'll waive this ticket." A different world.

The townie vs. students and yuppies thing was/is brutal. I don't miss it. It's still on full display on the Davis Square Facebook Group (I'm no longer a member, but it's public) if you are ever feeling nostalgic. I love Somerville and would still consider living there again. But the parking and enforcement was downright hostile.

Hostile is the word! Yeah, I have memories of waiting in a long line to appeal a parking ticket with similar results. Somerville parking enforcement must be a moneymaking machine that more than covers the every other week street cleaning April - November. But they knew how to keep the roads clean!

I liked my neighborhood ok, but when I go back I realize the density is just too much, and it feels cramped. I miss the arts scene, Capone Foods, Dalí, Thirsty Scholar, the Wine and Cheese Cask, and not much more (that still exists, anyway). I am glad I left, and I would not consider moving back. Among my friends who lived there, that is a minority opinion.

[msRB311]

Increase in domestic violence across the state :

https://www.wcvb.com/article/report-...dents/46806917

[massnative71]

Marcella Street in Roxbury...


Man shot, woman arrested at home in Roxbury, Boston police say


https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local...ury-2/3299654/

[GeePee]

Controversial gang database credited in big federal bust

https://commonwealthbeacon.org/crimi...-federal-bust/

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by GeePee

Controversial gang database credited in big federal bust

https://commonwealthbeacon.org/crimi...-federal-bust/

It's been an invaluable tool at taking down gangs and keeping neighborhoods safer. That is not disputable. Big SHAME on those city council members fighting to dismantle it.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by massnative71

It's been an invaluable tool at taking down gangs and keeping neighborhoods safer. That is not disputable. Big SHAME on those city council members fighting to dismantle it.

right the only reason they want it gone is because they think it's racist

[GeePee]

Thugs are getting real sensitive these days.

[redplum33]

Didn't one of our forum members say he was mistakenly put in that database?

[GrampaNurgle]

Originally Posted by massnative71

It's been an invaluable tool at taking down gangs and keeping neighborhoods safer. That is not disputable. Big SHAME on those city council members fighting to dismantle it.

There's a very good chance those "councilors" have a gangbanger relative, are married to one or are banging one.