The Boston Police Department (BPD) has issued a safety advisory to residents in the Allston-Brighton neighborhoods following a concerning uptick in residential break-ins involving Boston College (BC) students living off-campus.
The advisory warns, “The Boston Police Department is advising residents of a recent increase in residential break-ins and attempted break-ins in the neighborhood of Allston/Brighton, particularly in areas near Boston College and Boston University.
These incidents are under active investigation, and community awareness is key to preventing further criminal activity.”
Reports obtained by The Heights reveal that six break-ins occurred in the Allston-Brighton area between February 13 and April 3.
Among these, three incidents reported between March 20 and April 3 specifically targeted homes occupied by BC students.
On the evening of March 20, Mary Connors, a Boston College student, returned home with her two roommates to their off-campus Brighton residence after dinner only to discover signs of a potential break-in.
“I noticed on the ground, there was so much dirt all over my white carpet, and then dirt, not just in my room, but also leading into the hallways,” Connors recounted.
She immediately texted her roommates to check in, asking, “Guys, did somebody go into my room? Just wondering, because my shades are weird and there’s dirt all over.”
Once her roommates also discovered dirt in their rooms, Connors felt compelled to examine her valuables, fearing that someone had indeed entered the home.
“I have a little dish on my desk with all of my jewelry—costume jewelry, nice jewelry, family heirlooms—and they were all completely gone,” she said.
Additionally, another roommate had all of her jewelry stolen as well.
Connors believes that one of her roommates, who stayed home that night, may have inadvertently scared off the intruder before he entered her room.
“We think he never came into her room,” Connors explained.
“We think that as he was heading that way—since the trail of dirt stops just before her door—she turned on her blow dryer to dry her hair, and that made him leave.”
According to the police report, the value of the stolen jewelry amounted to up to $10,000.
Surveillance footage from a Ring camera captured the suspect pacing in the side yard before entering through a locked window.
Connors expressed appreciation for the Boston College Police Department’s (BCPD) prompt response and the sense of reassurance they provided, notwithstanding the limited assistance they could offer after the fact.
“BCPD showed up first, and honestly, they were great and very helpful—just made us feel safe as women living alone—but ultimately, they weren’t able to do much,” Connors said.
In the weeks following the incident, Connors noted that she and her roommates have been taking further precautions, including the installation of window bars.
Despite the fear and uncertainty that can accompany such incidents, Connors felt grateful for the support they received from the Boston College community.
“The dean of off-campus housing came to our unit and treated us and the boys upstairs to dinner from Jersey Mike’s,” she said.
“He sat with us, talked about what happened, and went over safety precautions we can take, so that was really nice. He went out of his way to do that on a Thursday night, which we really appreciated. It’s just really nice how the Boston College community has supported things that are out of their control.”
In the most recent break-in incident reported on April 3, BPD responded to a call regarding a suspicious individual near the location of the earlier break-ins.
The person matched the description of the alleged suspect—male of unknown race, dressed in all black, wearing gloves and a ski mask, according to the police report.
BC students observed the individual standing in the yard of a home on Radnor Road, appearing to scout the area.
The students attempted to contain him and alerted nearby BCPD officers about his location.
“The students reported that the male attempted to flee through a backyard and struggled to escape before running toward the students and fleeing down Radnor Rd,” the report details.
BPD’s advisory continues to emphasize the importance of residents taking preventive measures and remaining vigilant.
“We urge all community members to remain alert and take simple but effective steps to protect their homes and belongings: always lock doors and windows, even when at home; install motion-activated lighting around entryways; consider home security systems or video surveillance; and avoid leaving valuables near windows or in plain sight,” the advisory stresses.
Additionally, residents are encouraged to report any suspicious individuals or activities immediately by calling 911, as prompt reporting allows officers to respond more rapidly and may help prevent further crimes.
image source from：https://www.bcheights.com/2025/04/13/boston-police-department-issues-safety-advisory-following-series-of-off-campus-break-ins/
