Public safety & crime prevention
Making neighborhoods feel and be safer through lighting, cameras, police presence and violence prevention.
Residents mainly ask for better street and park lighting, plus cameras, police patrols and community-based safety, so people feel safe at night and in public spaces.
Theme grouped and summary written with AI from this theme's resident ideas.
126 ideas across three cycles
| Cycle | Ideas | Share of all ideas | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 49 | 4.0% | 13 of 20 |
| 2025–26 | 31 | 2.6% | 17 of 20 |
| 2026–27 | 46 | 3.5% | 13 of 20 |
Needs that keep coming back
Brighter street, park and transit lighting
Residents across all three cycles ask for more or better lighting on streets, in parks and near transit stops, so people feel safe after dark.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
More security cameras
Residents ask for cameras to deter and solve crime, in neighborhoods, parks and commercial areas, though one 2026-27 resident opposes expanding surveillance.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
More police patrols and security presence
Residents ask for more patrols or security staff in specific places such as transit stops, parks, Chinatown and commercial areas, often at night.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Emergency call points and community safety groups
Residents propose blue light phones, emergency call buttons, and resident-led patrols or safety groups, as a way to get help quickly and build neighborhood involvement.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
Self-defense and safety education
Residents ask for funded self-defense, gun safety or other safety classes, including for youth and adults.
Raised in 2024–25, 2025–26, 2026–27
2024–25
Lighting dominated, especially repeated East Boston requests, alongside calls for cameras, gun violence prevention, police patrols and safer MBTA stations and parks.
2025–26
Lighting stayed central, with East Boston and school security prominent, plus requests for cameras, patrols, blue light phones and self-defense classes.
2026–27
Residents focused on lighting, cameras and emergency call posts in parks, night patrols and community safety patrols, with new interest in housing security and restorative justice.
New in 2026–27
New or growing asks include security and repairs at BHA housing, emergency call buttons on park paths, restorative justice and youth alternatives to policing, bleeding-control and overdose stations, and opposition to surveillance cameras.
Funding so far
The one winning project, grants for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth, connects to youth and restorative justice asks, but no winning project has yet addressed the recurring asks for lighting, cameras, patrols or emergency call points.
Projects are linked to themes by matching each project's description to the themes; this is not an official City classification.
Programs Supporting Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Youth
2024–25 · $250,000 · related theme
This proposal will offer grants to nonprofit organizations to support youth ages 14-21 who are formerly or currently incarcerated, helping them build a brighter future.
Departments that often lead this work
- Boston Police Department
- Public Works
- BCYF
Suggested with AI; not an official assignment of responsibility.
Ideas in Public safety & crime prevention
126 ideas
2024–25: 49 · 2025–26: 31 · 2026–27: 46
- Lighting in Moakley ParkThe resident asks for lights in Moakley Park so they feel safe at night.2025–26South Boston
- More surveillance cameras for public safetyThe resident asks for more surveillance cameras to improve safety and for coordination between the community and local police.2025–26City-wide
- Surveillance cameras to help small businessesResident asks for surveillance cameras to help small businesses in the community and foster empathy across language, race and color.2025–26East Boston
- More street lighting and mental health for older adultsResident asks for more public lighting and mental health support for older adults, so people of all ages and races are considered and helped.2025–26East Boston
- Public lighting across the whole cityResident asks for public street lighting throughout the city to promote unity and safety.2025–26City-wide
- Community-run neighborhood safety groupsResident proposes creating groups of community members who help keep the city safe, to build unity and community security.2025–26East Boston
- More street lighting at recreation centersResident asks for more public lighting at recreation centers to improve community safety and togetherness.2025–26City-wide
- Street lighting and emergency pointsResident asks for lighting on streets and emergency points.2025–26East Boston
- More security and police presenceResident asks for more security and more police officers to protect workers.2025–26City-wide
- Public awareness for visitors in urban neighborhoodsResident asks for more public awareness in smaller urban Boston neighborhoods, so visitors unfamiliar with the area are better informed and safer.2025–26City-wide
- Stronger security and protocols at schoolsResident asks for better security at schools so people cannot easily enter and leave, and for students and staff to be better informed about safety protocols.2025–26City-wide
- More patrols and cameras at Lo Presti ParkResident asks for more police patrols and security cameras at Lo Presti Park in East Boston to prevent fights during pickup soccer and basketball and keep families and youth safe.2025–26East Boston
- Better security at schoolsResident asks for stronger security at schools to prevent incidents on school grounds and reduce discrimination.2025–26City-wide
- Lighting on Main and Center Streets near Whole FoodsAdd street lighting on Main Street and Center Street near Whole Foods.2025–26Jamaica Plain
- More lighting in East Boston parks and stationsThe resident asks for more lights in parks and the most-used train stations in East Boston to protect all residents.2025–26East Boston
- Better lighting and sidewalks in RoxburyThe resident asks for more street lighting in Roxbury for safety and sidewalk improvements for residents with different mobility needs.2025–26City-wide
- Street lighting and bus stop benchesThe resident asks for public lighting and more benches at bus stops for safety and well-being.2025–26City-wideSubmitted in Spanish
- Better lighting on all sidewalks and streetsResident asks that all sidewalks and streets be well lit to help prevent car accidents and pedestrian falls and improve public safety.2024–25City-wide
- Stop illegal fireworks in neighborhoodsResident asks the city to end illegal fireworks, citing harm to animals, PTSD reactions and lost sleep.2024–25City-wide
- Foot patrols targeting all crimesResident asks for police to patrol on foot and aggressively pursue all crimes, even minor ones like littering, to make everyone safer.2024–25Back Bay