Milton Police Address Gun Violence at Blue Hill Avenue Community Meeting

In response to three shootings in the Blue Hill Avenue, Tucker neighborhood in the past two months, the  will commit additional resources and focus on collaboration to quell concerns in the area.

Chief Richard Wells Jr., and other members of the Milton Police Department hosted a Community Meeting on Monday, March 5, at Concord Baptist Church, which was attended by a standing-room-only audience.

The meeting was called after three unrelated gun crimes occurred in the same neighborhood. Most recently, a in the stomach Wednesday, February 29, on Belvoir Road. Prior to that, a Milton resident after being shot in the leg on February 21 at her Blue Hill Avenue home. The to occur in the neighborhood was on January 12, around Oak Street.

Wells said that the department would commit a sergeant and officer to the area each night.

“We’re going to put additional resources here for an indefinite period of time,” said Wells, who explained he would further detail the plans at Thursday’s Board of Selectmen meeting.

Besides additional resources, Wells highlighted the need to partner with other town departments and the importance of information from the community.

“This isn’t just a police problem,” said Wells. “It’s a community problem that’s why we want to bring everyone to the table.”

Wells explained that the Department of Public Works, the Milton Public Schools, the Board of Health, the Board of Selectmen and Inspectional Services will all be part of the solution.

These collaborations will address issues like trash, vandalism and illegal apartments. By addressing those small problems, Wells explained, more serious crimes can be avoided.

Wells also focused on the residents in attendance. He said the Milton Police Department would begin holding meetings next week, for each street in the area, to address specific problems.

Throughout the hour-long meeting Wells emphasized the importance of residents reporting issues to the police. He explained that information, even if provided anonymously, is pivotal.

“You need to pick up the phone, but you don’t need to tell us your name,” Wells said.

The Milton Police Department has an anonymous tip email address, crimetips@mpdmilton.org, and phone number, 617-698-2677.