Mall murders one week later - what is being done?
It has now been over a week since the bodies of Nancy Bochicchio and her daughter Joey were found in their car at Town Center. The City of Boca Raton has offered a generous reward for information regarding the crime. The police appear to be working diligently to track down the killers. Despite these efforts, it is unknown whether the perpetrators will ever be brought to justice.
Mall management has been relatively quiet during this troubling time period. The Mayor's initial comments to wait and see what the investigation reveals were indicative of the laissez- faire attitude about crime at the mall that has been displayed to date. Several City Councilmen have commented privately to various citizens that there is a crime problem at the mall. No one has really stepped up and addressed the issue of mall safety.
Simon Property Group Inc. should be in the forefront of re-evaluating what can be done to stop criminals from using the mall as stomping grounds. Solutions like more cameras, better lighting, less prime parking taken up by the paid parking and car wash areas, and procedures to assist staff who are leaving work, need to be put into place. The mayor's office and the police department should work with Simon to formulate a plan to protect shoppers at the mall. A zero tolerance policy toward all crime, including shoplifters and purse snatchers, should be implemented.
Now is the time for Simon, the Mayor's office, the City Council and the police department to come forward and show everyone that this is a priority that is being and will be addressed. Let us hear from these groups so that the citizens of Boca know that they are working to honor the memory of Nancy and Joey Bochicchio by trying to assure that this tragedy is not repeated.
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Comments
Are there matching fingerprints on both cars involved in the two crimes at the mall?
Posted by: Kris | December 20, 2007 7:33 AM
The Management at the Boca Raton Mall should enclosed the perimeter of the Mall and place 4 or 6 points of entries with security guards post and with camares to record every car that goes in and out with the licence plate and the faces of the drivers and issue a ticket to go in and out. Also for pedestrials should have the same procedures. These security measurements have been implemented in many countries and have been proved effective to reduce and eliminate crime. The people of Boca raton spend millions of dollars at the mall and should be able to feel secure. If the managment and the city dont have the willigness to help out the people of Boca Raton should boycott this place we are not going to be collateral damage for their economic interest.
Posted by: luz s delgadillo | December 20, 2007 10:20 AM
I need volenteers to help me pass out the Reward posters Please call
561-674-SKYY(7599)
SKY Mercede
Posted by: sky mercede | December 21, 2007 4:55 AM
Police towers like the ones at the beach for life guards but taller with spot lights. They don't have to be police manned, but a person who radio's police immediately to altercations. It is important that these observers always continue to observe the area never letting one distraction supercede another.
Posted by: France | December 22, 2007 6:00 AM
The cover up of the August crime is inexcusable. The fact that Simon & the Boca police dept. did not take seriously the woman's testimony that she & her two-year old had been abducted demonstrates a callous disregard for public safety.
As it happened, my home in the Colonnade was robbed by five Jamaicans in May of last year. They were also traced to Overtown [I believe] by Det. Horowitz, who did a great job in apprehending the gang leader.
The roofers at the time working across from our pool were Jamaican & I told the police that our house & an adjacent one robbed a few days later were a result of the Jamaican roofers---I saw one pointing to the house that was subsequently robbed & talking excitedly while unnoticed doing pool exercises.
Result---no follow-up of the Boca police was done on that, even though we took the license number of the W.Palm Beach truck & phone # of the firm & offered it to the investigators.
The roofers were working for about a month and a rash of robberies broke out in the Colonnade.
I knew they were Jamaican [I heard their argot from the pool on several occasions] as were the robbers of my house, whom I caught flagrante delicto. Again, Det. Horowitz DID care about the robbery, unlike the Boca police.
As a result, I & my wife & daughter are out of $4000 in coins & jewelry & iPods & other tech stuff. They left my wedding ring on the floor.
The fellow was sentenced last month to a few months in jail. I was told there is no way to get our property back except to sue the delinquent Jamaican kid.
Boca Raton detectives were good, but the other police were lackadaisical and dismissed my complaints.
Our neighbor who was robbed a couple of days after us moved out to another more safe jurisdiction....!
Between the Boca cops & Palm Beach courts, we are regarded as a nuisance if we are a victim of a robbery or mugging.
Posted by: daveinboca | December 22, 2007 3:25 PM
First thanks to Lori for keeping the debate alive. It will be extremely sad and difficult to cope with our pain if police finds no criminals on this case. How many more need to get robbed or killed before we reach a consensus on what needs to done over our Town Center safety issues?
Posted by: John | December 22, 2007 8:56 PM
I went holiday shopping yesterday. I noticed a plethera of boca police all over the place(and people who cannot drive at all). It was almost intimidating. so they are making an effort to the public outcries
Posted by: zach | December 24, 2007 8:28 AM