Mission |
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The mission of the BHA Department of Public Safety is to preserve public peace and order and to protect life and property. This is achieved through the use of the Community Policing methodology to address the unique situations endemic to public housing and its residents.
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History |
The Boston Housing Authority created the Department of Public Safety in the late 1970’s in response to the security needs of tenants and managers. Due to the high density of the development population, city police services were not adequate for the times. Six civilian investigators were hired to investigate crime and other incivilities in public housing property, interact with Boston Police district officers and pursue civil and criminal complaints against tenants.
By 1983, the Department began sending the investigators through the Massachusetts Criminal Justice Training Committee Basic Police Recruit Academies in an effort to further train and professionalize the unit which had grown to forty-two investigators.
Throughout the 1980’s BHA Police officers worked in concert with the Boston Police Department's TEAM Police Unit to provide a police presence in Boston’s Public Housing Developments.
In 1994, the concept of “Community Policing” crept into the consciousness of police executives around the country. Community Policing was embraced by the Boston Police Department and introduced to the city’s Public Housing Developments.
At the heart of Community Policing is the Patrol Officer, working in a community, forging relationships and partnerships within the community to help identify and solve problems with the community’s assistance and support. When defining expectations and responsibilities of the BHA Community Police Officer, emphasis is placed on the following:
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- Foot and vertical patrols of the properties' buildings and hallways
- Maintain high-visibility and regular interaction with residents
- Attending private conferences regarding safety concerns with managers and residents
- Assisting with eviction proceedings under the one-strike policy
- Communication with youth workers and Maintenance Superintendents
- Attendance at community meetings
- Collaboration with youth workers to address safety concerns and participate in activities
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