A recent study found that many school zones, nationwide, have higher-than-average crime rates. Boston is no exception. But which school zone in Boston is considered the most dangerous? That would be the Roxbury-area school zone surrounding the James P. Timilty Middle School. The zone, which forms a 300-foot radius around the school, was the scene of more than 280 crimes from 2015 to 2017, according to research conducted by Safe Home, a security company that compiles crime data from Boston and several other US cities.
It’s not all bad news; crime in Boston school zones is on the decline. But certain areas are experiencing a disproportionate level of crime around schools. The Boston area’s top five “dangerous school zones” racked up a total of 149 assaults, 147 drug or alcohol crimes, 138 robberies, and 88 gun crimes, all within feet of elementary, middle, and high schools. In addition to Boston, Safe Home analyzed school zone crime in Baton Rouge, Los Angeles, Louisiana, New York City, and Seattle. A MA defense lawyer can help you get your life back on track if you’ve been charged with any type of crime.
Is My Kid’s School Zone on the List?
The school zones in Boston with the highest rates of crime are:
- James P. Timilty Middle School
- Codman Academy Charter School (Upper)
- Holy Name Parish School
- Dearborn STEM Academy
- Jeremiah E. Burke High School
- Boston University
- Kennedy Day School
- Pauline A Shaw Elementary School
- William Monroe Trotter
- Holmes Elementary School
Enhanced Sentencing for Crimes Committed in School Zones
To compile this information, Safe Home gathered crime data from the U.S. City Open Data Census and cross-referenced it with the geolocations of associated school zones. This high incidence of crime within school zones is even more perplexing given the enhanced penalties for committing crimes within 300 feet of a school. In MA, for example, a person convicted of distributing illicit drugs in a school zone is subject to additional penalties than if the act occurred in a non-school zone. This is even true if the school is not in session. The enhanced sentence for school zone drug crimes in MA is not less than 2.5 years, and up to 15 years in prison, and it carries a fine of up to $10,000.
To be convicted of a “school zone” crime, the offense must have taken place:
- Within 300 feet of a school.
- Between the hours of 5:00 am and midnight.
- Within 100 feet of a playground or public park.
Although Boston’s hardest-hit school zones are experiencing a concerning level of criminal activity, it pales in comparison to the other cities in the study. In fact, one school zone in Seattle racked up more than 3,000 crimes in 2016 alone. A Boston defense lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been charged with a crime in a school zone.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Criminal Defense Law Firm Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
If you have been charged with any type of crime, from theft to manslaughter, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been defending the rights of individuals charged with crimes for more than 50 years. Our experienced, knowledgeable attorneys will fight tirelessly to protect your wallet, your reputation, and your freedom. People make mistakes; don’t make another one by hiring the wrong attorney. At Altman & Altman, LLP, we have an impressive track record of getting our clients’ charges reduced, or dismissed entirely. Don’t go through this difficult time alone. If you’re facing criminal charges, we can help. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.