National Night Out 2008

National Night Out 2008 Once again, Healthy Roslindale, with the help of Roslindale Village Main Street organized the Boston Police District 5 National Night Out in the Parkway. Held in Adams Park, in the heart of Roslindale Village, the night was a big success as we honored the collaboration of the community and law enforcement to reduce fear and crime in the neighborhoods. Many organizers and participants thought Night Out was the best ever.

There was fabulous family entertainment, community information tables, arts and crafts for the young and plenty of light refreshments and giveaways. The famous Glenn Williams, lifelong Rossie Guy known to many for his involvement in the arts community, with Roslindale Village Main Street and with BNN Cable TV was the DJ extraordinaire. His donation of time and sound equipment is a main stay at Adams Park events and appreciated by so many.

The entertainment began with a large contingent of students of the Asian Center for Martial Arts who demonstrated various forms and movements of martial arts. From young to old, she students demonstrated the importance of discipline and focus needed to perform the easy and difficult moves. The school is located on Corinth Street and teaches curriculum of eight different styles of martial arts for people of all ages.

Following was the Hyde Park Dance Academy, a famous and popular group that has participated in every National Night Out celebration in Roslindale. Two talented age groups performed. Alex’s Rockin’ Dance Party was followed by The Juke Box Dancers, older teens and young adults who have made performing a big part of their lives. The groups perform at Fanueil Hall and other popular spots. Their performances were top notch, as always.

Next, Tierra Del Sol, a Mexican Dance group, performing fro the third time at Night Out, topped off the entertainment for the night. Their colorful garb and lively music was very entertaining and they prompted audience members to join them. Everyone had a good time.

Lastly, and the reason we all come together, was the recognition of people in the community who contribute to making and keeping the neighborhood safe in many different ways. District 5 Police Captain James Hasson and Healthy Roslindale Coalition notable Cathy Slade presented the District 5 Community Service Awards to people. Those honored were:

Julie Romain, a long-time member of the Rossie Reps Youth Council is in college and maintains her connection and dedication to the group as a Rossie Reps Mentor. She is dedicated to continuing the important work of the group which is to educate youth and adults about health prevention, especially changing social norms around underage drinking and tobacco use. She also helps with planning and organizing the group and participating in community service activities.

Will Romain, is the younger brother of Julie and was the first in the family to join Rossie Reps. Will is and always has been the most active of all the Rossie Reps. For this he is known as the Most Dedicated Rossie Rep. He is recognized by many in Roslindale because he attends every promotional activity held in Adams Park and all the activities of Healthy Roslindale. From health prevention workshops for youth to major presentations to health providers and legislators, from canvassing to organized cleanups, Will is active.

Maxine Hall has been the Director of the Roslindale family Nurturing Center, located in Stony Brook Commons for 13 years. . She provides a comfortable atmosphere in which families can learn about community resources and become involved. Her leadership has provided many families the opportunity to participate in parenting and life-skills curricular and to develop leadership to partake in community cause. She has touched the lives of many, helping people during good times and in times of need.

Meena Carr is a tenant activist I Washington-Beech Housing. When she came to the development 13 years ago, she realized the need for educational and social programming for youth. She set right to work, bringing outside resources such as tutoring and scouting to their community center. Many youth have thrived because of this. When resources dry up for particular programming, Meena finds more or digs in and carries the program herself. She is a dedicated and compassionate presence in the development.

Four others were honored for their commitment and hands on leadership serving the community’s young people. All have been active in youth sports, coaching, organizing, refereeing, or all three. All are looked up to by the youth they serve and very deserving of this recognition.

Maurice Penn has been a volunteer coach and referee for a long time, working hard to engage youth from Washington-Beech and Archdale in sports as a viable outlet and learning experience.

As the Youth Director at the Community Center of Stony Brook Commons, Gene Austin has offered after school tutoring and recreational programming to hundreds of youth. He organizes sporting events and teams to play in BNBL and P.A.L. leagues. He encourages youth to do well in school and take advantage of opportunities in school and in the community that will help them go on to college.

As Director and Assistant Director of the Roslindale Community Center, Harry Rivera and Michael Sullivan have begun and grown new sports programs at the newly renovated center, serving youth of all ages.

Donating their time and experience to the Roslindale Interim Planning Overlay District Committee to re-zone Roslindale, Beth Biegle and Wayne Beitler provided good leadership of the group as members grappled with complicated issues that will affect the future development of Roslindale. They guided members along a path to agreement to produce a plan that reflects the voices heard in the community and strong opinions of committee members.

Both Wayne have made numerous, important contributions to their immediate neighborhoods and the Roslindale Community, Beth cut her community activist teeth on tackling an oversized development project on her street. She was strident in her conviction and advocacy for reasonable development and her persistence led to a successful outcome for the neighborhood.

Wayne was instrumental in guiding the RFP process for design of the MBTA building, putting to work his professional knowledge of preservation and development. He has held leadership positions in his neighborhood crime watch, Roslindale Village Main Street and the Longfellow Neighborhood Association.



Crime Watch

In the fall of 2007, the Healy Field/Archdale neighborhood experienced an uptick in serious crime. Members of Healthy Roslindale & Neighbors Together facilitated the start of a crime watch group that is growing stronger and stronger every month. The group is called the Stellman/Granfield Crime Watch.

James Hasson, captain of District 5 Police, has been very responsive to the resultant needs of the neighborhood. He has assigned a nighttime two-man walking patrol, which has proven to be extremely effective. Not only has crime declined, but also it has improved relationships between the police and residents. People welcome this new assignment and say they feel much safer in the neighborhood now.

Meetings are held once a month in the neighborhood with police from the community service office, two walking patrolmen, youth and adult residents, David McNulty of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Service, Councilor Rob Consalvo and his aide Lee Blasi.

Connections are being made from neighbor-to-neighbor, neighbor-to-police, and neighbor-to-city officials. People feel much more comfortable working with each other to access city services. People feel their voice is being heard and are feeling they can have a positive impact in making their neighborhood a safer place to live in.

If anyone in the area is interested in attending one of our meetings and getting involved, feel free to call Nancy Braceland at 617-323-3406.


Testimonial of the Stellman/Granfield Crime Watch
Presented at the Top Ten Awards Banquet
August 4, 2008:

Last summer, the Stellman/Granfield neighborhood suffered an escalation of violent crime, causing a sense of fear and unease among residents. Very late one October evening, a random shooting of eighteen bullets into two triple-deckers took place. Fear was palpable and residents realized something had to be done to restore their sense of calm and safety. A few residents had previously established a good relationship with District 5 Police due to a community organizing effort, and police had been attentive to the area. However, residents realized they must be the ones to step up to the plate and take control of their environment. They started a crime watch and invited youth to participate. People became engaged and some took charge of various action steps and crime watch activities. The group grew in resolve and became much focused. Captain James Hasson assigned a walking patrol and provided a dedicated police presence. All types of crime subsided, people felt safer, and they established better relationships amongst themselves and with the police.

District 5 Police Advisory Committee

Four members of the board of directors of Healthy Roslindale sit on the District 5 Police Advisory Board. We joined with other neighborhood leaders and local agencies to improve the safety of Roslindale and West Roxbury. There are three areas we focus on: youth, elderly, and communication to the neighborhood from the police department. One of the benefits of our involvement is that we can bring issues of concern to the police for problem solving and action.

National Night Out 2007

The Coalition planned and organized National Night Out with the help of our community partner, Roslindale Village Main Street. Held on Tuesday, August 7th, 2007, the event celebrated the partnership between the police and the community. Community information tables, music, dancing, face painting, games, arts and crafts and fun were the order of the evening. Local agencies reached out to residents; Glenn Williams performed the DJ duties and Riverside Theatre Works sang; Tierra Del Sol, Hyde Park Dance Academy and Tanya’s Dance and Fitness Center danced; Rossie Reps painted faces and conducted games for children; and Roslindale Village Main Street provided and oversaw the arts and crafts tables.

In addition, as the main purpose of the event, a number of residents and business people were presented Boston Police District 5 Community Service Awards by Deputy Superintendent Michael Cox and Cathy Slade of Healthy Roslindale.

Winning awards for their contributions to their community of West Roxbury were:

Gary Parks - owner of Gary’s Liquors, for sponsoring the District 5 Police Halloween Party and other police / community events;

Mary Mulvey - for her many years of service to West Roxbury through her leadership of the West Roxbury Business and Professional Association, her active participation on the YMCA Board of Directors, and her involvement in the fledgling West Roxbury Women’s Business Association. Her efforts have led to many joint fundraisers to benefit the children in YMCA programs;

Tom Dougherty - for his leadership of the District 5 Police Advisory Committee and West Roxbury Main Street;

Ryan Fitzgerald - for performing his job above and beyond expectations, as the West Roxbury liaison in the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services.

In Roslindale, the winners were:

Laurie Jo Wallace - for serving the youth of Roslindale by conducting peer leadership education, and for bringing Youth Service Providers together to conduct collaborative youth activities. She was also recognized for her part in Roslindale Friends for Peace and Justice;

Maurice Penn - for his long-term commitment to youth sports;

Marna Persechini - for many years of dedication to Roslindale Village Main Street and Healthy Roslindale programs. Her interests and love of Roslindale led her to become a reporter for the Sacred Heart Beats quarterly publication;

Deborah Bloom - for persistent efforts in building community and bringing people of different cultures together to share similarities and get to know one another. Her persistence in organizing groups of Roslindale residents for participation in “Diversity Dialogues” has led her to be the star of the Diversity Dialogues Program. She has organized more programs here in Roslindale than any other organizer in any other city neighborhood;

Angie Miller - for her kindness and caring for her fellow neighbors of the Roslindale House and for her involvement in church and community activities;

David McNulty - for the exceptional diligence he shows while representing the Roslindale community in matters of civic importance and delivery of basic city services. David is the Mayor’s liaison for the Roslindale and Hyde Park neighborhoods.