The stretch of land along the Charles River between Bridge Street and the Blue Heron Bridge offers a picturesque scene. A winding packed path, wooden decking, rough hewn log benches and stone offer a small diversion from life. It’s a wonderful place to walk, explore and even just sit along the river.
But shortly after 5:30pm on Monday, on September 21, all this was broken by screaming. Two women heard the screaming and called 9-1-1, bringing a swarm of police from both local and state agencies, as well as K-9 units and an ambulance, to 3 Bridge Street.
Police say a rape happened there, in daylight at the time that commuters, joggers, dog walkers and locals would be passing by. The suspect, 32 year old Leonel Garcia, gave his address as “11 Charlie Street, Waltham,” though only an 11 Charles Street exists. After his capture and arrest he was taken to Mt. Auburn Hospital where he was treated for a dog bite, apparently sustained by one of the K-9 units during the arrest.
He was arraigned on charges of rape assault, larceny and malicious destruction of property. Bail was set at $2500 and his next hearing is scheduled for October 20.
The victim, a 44 year old Framingham woman, was taken to Newton Wellesley hospital for treatment.
The reason this hasn’t yet appeared in the TAB or the Boston Globe is because the incident shows up on the Newton Police log as a 9-1-1 response at 5:38pm but only as a “Check PE”. The arrest and investigation was handled by state police, due to the fact that the Charles River Reservation is DCR property and therefore within the state’s jurisdiction. Since the publications don’t regularly check those logs, the story hasn’t been made public.
But what is happening along the river? A woman who works in the area and regularly walks her dogs along the path has reported feeling a steady decline in her personal safety. She points to a group of teens regularly seen smoking at some of the breaking points as well as an increase in trash and what looks like multiple homeless encampments, (see picture) all just feet from where locals walk, exercise and commute regularly. An album contains other pictures of the area.
Action from government officials is already in the works. Alderman Ted Hess-Mahan followed this activity as it happened and has been in contact with both law enforcement and other officials. The Mayor’s office, as well as Representative Kay Khan and Sen. Cynthia Creem have all been coordinating to hold a public meeting to discuss safety and other concerns with DCR officials and anyone else who should be involved.
This is terrible news. I have been using the river paths for the past 15 years and only in the past two years or so have I noticed a sharp increase in the number of people smoking drugs on the lookouts, seemingly living in the woods, and generally being sketchy along the part of the trail from North Street to Galen Street. At a minimum signs should be put up warning unsuspecting adults and children to avoid using the lookouts for enjoying the river and to avoid using the trails alone to help limit the chances of anything like this from happening again.
Thanks Chuck for calling attention to this.
I agree with Jess. This is not good news. I walk along this stretch of the river regularly. Many people walk dogs and bike riders from Waltham use this route to commute to Boston. However there are many secluded areas close to the path.
Several years ago I complained to city officials about miss use of the area by teenagers. The city responded and cleared out the squatters. However, this appears to be a continuing problem.
I am sorry to hear that everyone will be on alert from now on. I just hope the public are well informed about these new problems.
It’s good to see that WBZ has picked up this important story and that state police are now saying they plan to release more information. (Too bad they didn’t give Chuck credit for breaking it on Village 14!)
Didn’t realize we would have jurisdictional problems for keeping this great recreational asset safe. Thanks for pointing this out. There should be a sweep to remove squatters.
Unfortunately this is not the only violent crime incident that’s taken place in Newton recently. Over the summer the Tedeschi market at Walnut and Centre Street was robbed at gunpoint, and a female clerk who was working alone was pistol whipped. Not far from there, one of the gas stations on Route 9 was robbed at knife point.
I live along this stretch of the river and use it regularly. Over the past few years there has been an increase in the amount of garbage along the river. Teenagers drink down there at night and just dump their beer cans and liquor bottles. I have also noticed drug activity and squatters near the stop and shop (who also leave their garbage everywhere). I have called the police and DCR many times and I’m sorry to hear that a rape in daylight is the catalyst to (hopefully) get something done down there.
@Greg – WBZ may not have given Chuck credit, but UniversalHub did:
http://www.universalhub.com/2015/woman-raped-path-along-charles-newton
I agree with Jess and Colleen — terribly disturbing news, and terrible that people should have to worry about their safety even in the daytime. All my visits to this walkway have been to pull invasive garlic mustard, in the company of many other people, so it never occurred to me to feel unsafe, but wouldn’t have even if I’d been alone. I’ve walked in comparable areas (the woods behind Lyons Field in Auburndale, for example), in the daytime, and between my home and both West Newton and Auburndale Squares at night without fear, although with alertness. We should be able to do that!
The fact that this did not appear in Newton police reports because it was on DCR land does not serve residents well, and that policy should be changed. We have a lot of DCR land, although one hopes such events will be rare. If there have been earlier calls to DCR about the drugs or squatters, that would have been useful for people to know.
Julia, with all due respect I think your anger is a bit misplaced. The police followed procedure. They responded to a call and recorded it as such. State Police did the same.
The fact that reporters never followed up and asked the right questions is really the main issue. State Police increased patrols and have noted the increase in local homeless. The fact that no one has reported on it has less to do with police work and more to do with the state of journalism.
If you want to be angry, be angry at the TAB, Globe, and local broadcast stations. WBZ called up the state police and asked them about an incident that was already reported, then try to call it “original reporting.”
If we view information as a public safety issue, then we need to hold those that do the reporting accountable.
Chuck, with all due respect, I think you have misread Julia’s intent … and you are giving the powers that be a free pass.
Whatever happened to proactive policing, or the DCR coming up with a plan to address squatters and drug use? This isn’t the first time they’ve heard of either problem.
Most of the time I think Newton and State Police think patrols = punching the clock and driving around town, and following up on 911 and SP calls. Then punch out at the end of the shift … unless there is a juicy detail awaiting. They never get out of their damn cruisers to walk the villages, check out the parks, TALK with people to identify potential problems and show they are concerned.
Of course, when a crime is reported it’s a different story. But you can bet a few weeks from now the “patrols” will dwindle away and the druggies and squatters will be back. My 2 cents.
Agreed with Duka. Having a trooper stroll down the path in the middle of the afternoon once in a while will not be effective in addressing this issue.
DCR needs to minimally have a foot patrol along the river’s edge (not the main path) several hours after dark, ideally several times per week. I smell regular campfires down there May-October.
I personally called DCR Parkwatch 3 times this summer regarding homelessness, litter, abandoned shopping carts, and the smell of human waste between North Street and Bridge St. This problem has been on their radar, and they have taken no effective measures to confront it.
Why is the crime scene still full of litter and a makeshift shelter 11 days after the fact? The scale of accumulated litter is currently beyond what concerned private citizens can cram into their Newton trash bins for weekly pickup. What does it take to bring in a truck and remove a homeless encampment where a terrible crime took place?!
Hi –
Chuck, where are you getting this information from? You seem to be privy to the details that weren’t otherwise release by the media.
Thanks!
Kristin,
I’m not really privy to any special information. I’m just doing some reporting. That is, I’m asking people questions and getting answers. In many cases this is coming through official channels.
I used to walk here often but, always got that creeped out feeling. When my son could no longer join me I had to stop because I knew I couldn’t walk there alone. Now I know my feeling were right. Thank you for finally bringing attention to this issue.
However, there are other sections that are so much worst. Further in Waltham where the homeless seem to have been living for years.
Alarming? This is not new.
I ride along the bike paths (on both sides of the Charles river),to and from Newton-Cambridge. Very frequently later in the evening into the next morning. I certainly haven’t lacked for crowded company lately-whole families, just in from somewhere 9need you ask?) with the very young kids (who should be in bed already) are roaming around down there–if they don’t have a car to sleep in. Especially across from WBZ and over towards Martinetti’s. These bike paths are places where the police don’t seem to patrol much. And that area around Blue Heron Bridge is becoming a hang-out for some very upstanding-looking citizens. I’m not surprised the criminal is from across the river. The bridge and its state property environs provides a convenient spot for anyone watching out for the police–being pinpointed right on the Watertown-Waltham-Newton border. And outside the jurisdictions of the surrounding cities. It’s the perfect spot for creeps. I used to shop at the S&S, but now travel more towards Newtonville Square and the Star. Only go over that way for Russo’s. Maybe the cold weather will deter them–or Section8, or something. Sorry for the lady–glad she didn’t lose her life.