Boston Blotter: Fewer Shootings, More Assaults With Quarters (Yes, Quarters)

Finally, the city has some good news about crime. While a steady stream of shootings have taken place, statistics are out showing that nonfatal shootings are down by 33 percent compared to last year.

The Globe lists many possible reasons for why shootings are down - more patrols, cold temperatures, gang truces, better moods. What's important is that the shootings are down, and we hope it stays that way.

The Globe also had a nifty article about the police officer who used to protect Mayor Raymond Flynn and who currently protects Commissioner Ed Davis. In the accompanying photo, the guy looks like he could be Ice-T's dad, only he doesn't just act tough. He is tough.

The two people who died in the three-alarm Fenway fire have been identified as BU students. Fire officials said a candle lit during a power outage was the cause. NStar workers in the area have received credit for helping some survivors out in time.

In other college-related blotter news, one student stabbed another on the Boston College campus. A 19-year-old woman punctured another woman's lung - hardly your ordinary catfight.

And what would a Sunday blotter be without a ridiculous crime? The BPD tells the tale of a driver who struck another car. The drivers got into an argument, which isn’t unusual. However, the driver who caused the accident started throwing quarters at the person she hit. The police booked the West Roxbury driver, who "had a strong odor of alcohol about her," for Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon. She must have been throwing those quarters with all the power of Dice-K!

Promotional image of Ice-T in character from Law & Order: SVU from NBC.com. We'd like to see someone try to bounce a quarter off that guy!