Garden Safety
Boston Police officers regularly patrol the Victory Gardens in cruisers, by foot, and on horseback. These are assigned patrols (meaning they are the same officers) who know the Victory Gardens well. When possible, they try to attend our General Meetings so that FGS members can get to know them and raise issues.

During the summer months, the Boston Park Rangers monitor the area on horseback and, on occasion, conduct tours of the Emerald Necklace parks. Though these professionals are not enforcers of the law, they are in radio contact with the Boston Police.

Please PROMPTLY report any incidents of vandalism, theft, or your observations of suspicious, abusive, or illegal activity to the Boston Police or the Boston Park Rangers if they are in the gardens. If they are not:

A POLICE REPORT CAN BE FILED IN TWO WAYS:
• Call 911 either on your (or fellow gardener’s) cell phone or the public phone located at Boylston and Park Drive by the flagpole, or and wait for the Boston Police by the flagpole. If 911 asks for a street address, tell them “The Victory Gardens across from 1179 Boylston Street.” If you are located closer to the Center Park section, tell them “the Victory Gardens across from 10 Park Drive.”

• Call the Area D Police Department at the number listed below to file a report by phone.

Emergency Phone Numbers:

Boston Police Department Area D-4--617/343-4250
Boston Park Rangers--617/635-7383
Boston Municipal Police--617/635-3500

Tips on being secure

1. LEAVE BEFORE DARK. As with most pubic parks, the gardens tend to be the site of questionable activities after the sun goes down. Please do not subject yourself to an unfortunate incident. If you find yourself alone gardening after the sun goes down, leave.
2. Develop a network of neighboring gardeners. Make yourself known to your fellow gardeners and do let them know when you will be away for any period of time. It is a good idea to exchange names and phone numbers to keep each other abreast of garden damage, vandalism, or concern for a neighboring gardener.
3. Trim all plants to 4’ and maintain cleared, 4’-wide paths. This will open vistas that permit visibility of garden plots and enable police to easily get to the scene of a crime. It will also discourage the use of plots for illicit activities.
4. Carry a whistle to alert others that you need assistance.
5. If you hear a whistle, get help.
6. Do not tempt a thief. When you arrive, immediately lock your bicycle. Carry little money or jewelry. Don’t leave personal belongings unattended or in an easily observed spot.
7. Be cautious, even during the daytime. We do not mention this so that you will be fearful, but to encourage you to always be alert. Incidence of daytime robbery or threats – though quite rare – have been reported over the years.