Boston arrest records search

Massachusetts Arrest Records and Warrant Search

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Which state agency can help with an arrest records and warrants search in Boston, Massachusetts?

When holding back the arrest log and the warrant list, few law enforcement agencies work as overzealously as the Boston Police Department and Massachusetts Judiciary. But, then, you can’t really hold these agencies accountable for the surprising lack of information pertaining to Boston arrests and warrants.

Blame this on the ultra-protective privacy laws of the state that keep almost all types of criminal records away from the public domain. Continue reading to know if any options are available to launch an arrest inquiry and/or a warrant lookup… 

Which agency should you approach for Boston arrest records?

Here is the problem- Unlike other law enforcement agencies, Boston PD does not provide a straightforward tool for an arrest inquiry. However, they post their booking log online, which is just as good, if not better, when you consider the extra information you get.

On the flip side, if you want to know specifically about arrests in Boston involving your subject, you are not getting this information online. The arrest log is made available at the Boston police official website. Scroll down to posts with the term “Public Journal” in their title. Use the link that reads “Click Here For Public Journal” to access the arrest records for the given time frame (usually two days or the weekend).

Is there any way to access an arrest report in Boston?

You can contact the local law enforcement agency if you are willing to invest some face time into your arrest search. Boston PD will respond to a request for a police report pertaining to a specific criminal incident as long you visit them at the District Office for your area. 

Use the form at the public record center to file your request and be ready to pay $5 in cash. Addresses of the various Boston PD Districts are available here.

Can you do a warrant search in Boston through the police or the judiciary?

If scrolling through the most wanted list is your idea of a warrant check, then yes; otherwise, no! That said, Boston PD posts its most wanted list here. As far as the judiciary is concerned, they only allow attorneys access to details on outstanding warrants and criminal court records in general.

Unfortunately, civilians are sent packing with just the court calendar unless they know the docket number of the specific criminal matter in which the warrant/warrants were issued. If you have this number, you can access case information through the judicial records search facility at the Massachusetts Trial Court eAccess page here.

Boston Police Districts:

  1. Headquarters:

    • The nerve center for the Boston Police Department’s operations. It coordinates citywide crime-fighting efforts, manages resources, and sets strategic priorities for public safety.
  2. A1 & A15 (Downtown & Charlestown):

    • A1 (Downtown): Tasked with maintaining order in a high-traffic area filled with businesses, tourists, and events. They handle a variety of incidents, from petty crimes to major events.
    • A15 (Charlestown): Focuses on community policing in a historic neighborhood, addressing issues like burglary and street-level crimes.
  3. A7 (East Boston):

    • Responsible for patrolling an area with a major international airport. They handle transportation-related incidents and work to combat drug trafficking due to the area’s port access.
  4. B2 (Roxbury):

    • Engages in proactive policing in an area with diverse challenges. They work closely with community leaders to address violent crimes and gang activities.
  5. B3 (Mattapan):

    • Prioritizes community engagement to combat issues like gun violence and street crimes. They have initiatives aimed at youth to prevent them from entering a life of crime.
  6. C6 (South Boston):

    • Handles a mix of residential and commercial areas. They focus on breaking-ins, public intoxication, and maintaining order during large public events like the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
  7. C11 (Dorchester):

    • With a large coverage area, they focus on community-based strategies to address violent crimes, robberies, and drug-related offenses.
  8. D4 (South End):

    • Patrols a culturally diverse area with a mix of residents and businesses. They work to address issues like theft, assaults, and drug offenses, especially in nightlife hotspots.
  9. D14 (Brighton):

    • Given the large student population, they focus on issues like public disturbances, thefts, and substance abuse incidents related to younger demographics.
  10. E5 (West Roxbury):

    • Engages in community policing in a suburban-like setting. They prioritize property crimes and traffic violations and maintain a strong rapport with residents to ensure public safety.
  11. E13 (Jamaica Plain):

    • With a mix of urban and green spaces, they work on issues ranging from vandalism in public parks to street crimes in more urbanized areas.
  12. E18 (Hyde Park):

    • Focuses on community engagement in a residential setting. They address issues like home burglaries, car thefts, and work closely with neighborhood watch groups.

Crime stats in Boston, MA

The city has a higher crime rate not only as compared to the neighboring urban areas but also as compared to 80% of other American cities. Annually, about 20,000 crimes are committed in Boston. Of the complaints filed against these criminal acts, about 14,000 are linked to property crimes such as burglary, theft and carjacking.

Another 5000 complaints are lodged against violent crimes, including homicide, rape and aggravated assault. In terms of specific crime categories, thefts account for the highest number of property crimes at 11,000 incidents, while aggravated assaults account for over 2800 complaints against violent crimes.