Officer McNally told the
group about the GPS theft problem in Somerville and in many neighboring
cities. "We've got a couple people running around, probably substance
abusers, checking out cars. They don't even look at the cars, they just
look through the front window for lap tops or GPS's. If they see one
they can break the window and grab the devices and be gone in, say 45
seconds." The city distributes notices that look like parking tickets,
but are warnings to owners of parked cars with potential theft items
visible to officers checking as they walk by the cars.

The group
searched for problems on the street involving public safety and basic
street aesthetics. Things such as potholes, untrimmed tree limbs, stubs
from utility polls, un-kept storefronts and the like. "We look at what
I call 'quality of life issues'…This is really what an alderman's
work is," said Alderman Heuston. "The more sets of eyes, the better."

In
just a short time the group discovered dangerous holes in the sidewalk,
downed signs and potential trash problems in the yards of industrial
businesses. If a problem seems urgent enough, the group notifies the
NIT (Neighborhood Inspection Team), and a whole group of departments
(fire, police, DPW, and more) will visit the business to check on the
problem. These different groups often visit the business all at the
same time, Officer McNally said.

Nicole Rioles,
Shape-Up-Somerville Coordinator, walked with the group. Her group with
the Somerville Health Department targets obesity in the community and
helps people get and stay physically active. "Shape-Up-Somerville tries
to make the streets safer for walking and biking. We're looking at ways
that people feel safer and to make walking more desirable. Stuff like
trash, glass, holes. Also we're rezoning and you don't see it yet
because of the ongoing construction, but we're going to have more bike
locks and bike paths. We strive for less car supremacy and more equity
for biking and walking transit."

Business signs were also looked
at. "All we're trying to do with the zoning (on signs) is for people to
be more thoughtful with their signs," Heuston said. "We're constantly
calling inspectional services to get them to get people to take down
tattered banners that have been up for too long." Heuston praised
"Mike's Automotive," saying if she could have a "poster child" for
signs/storefronts that "Mike's" would be it.

Another member,
Theresa Cardoso, Ward 2 School Representative, admired the "Hope and
Glory" shop sign visible on the other side of the Square. Cardoso
observed keenly throughout the walk pointing out potential problems.

A
group member mentioned that when the green line extension comes through
Union Square things will really pick up. "It'll be hopping," said
McNally. He watched over the outdoor dining in front of the Precinct
restaurant Friday night and he said everything was nice and orderly.

In the same area the group found bread fed to the pigeons that was still lying around. This left out bread can attract rodents.

The
forty-five minute stroll was relaxing and informative. The group talked
about their favorite restaurants in the Square, praising the quality
and quantity of cuisine. "You don't really have to leave Somerville,"
Cardoso said. "It's all right here."

Heuston leads three to
four walks per month in her district. The walks are open to everyone.
Heuston can be reached at mheuston@hotmail.com and Rioles can be
reached at nrioles@ci.somerville.ma.us.