Special Report: Where to watch out

You'll know you're likely to get in a good game around Fenway, get bargains in Downtown Crossing and a piece of history on Beacon Hill. But where are you most likely to you get your wallet swiped? Your car windows smashed? Your purse snatched?

It happened to Gabi near Arlington and Providence Streets. Her wallet was suddenly stolen.

Gabi, crime victim
"To have something like that happen is really shocking."

And Laura's car windows smashed and valuables were swiped along Fenway's Park Drive.

Laura, crime victim
"It infuriates me, you know."

The victims were fuming about what happened, but they didn't know the rest of the story.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7NEWS Investigative Reporter
"Clearly, there are hot spots where these things happen."

Boston Police Superintendent Robert Dunford, Chief of the Bureau of Field Services
"Yes, there are."

We obtained two years of stats -- 911 calls and incident reports -- and crunched the numbers for Beacon Hill, Downtown, Back Bay, South End and Fenway. Police know that's often where thieves hit.

Boston Police Superintendent Robert Dunford, Chief of the Bureau of Field Services
"These are popular areas for city residents and tourists, and obviously, people are not always careful."

And the numbers prove exactly where you should watch out.

For pickpockets? Downtown Crossing and Quincy Market. Those bustling business areas may not surprise you.

But how about right here? We found the Dalton Street area, just off Boylston, has more than its share.

Hank Phillippi Ryan, 7NEWS Investigative Reporter
"Do criminals go to these places and wait?"

Boston Police Superintendent Robert Dunford, Chief of the Bureau of Field Services
"Yes. There are people who play these areas, because they know they'll be able to victimize somebody."

Where to watch out for purse snatching? At just the places we checked, there were more than two a day over the past two years. We found at Downtown Crossing and Quincy market, hold on to your bags.

Shopper
"It's crazy, because there's nothing people can do about it."

The Theater District, too. But would you have predicted the corner of Fairfield and Boylston? Crime numbers prove it's a hot spot.

Shopper
"It's surprising."

Shopper
"That's good to know."

And look at the glass on the ground. That means a broken car window and a very angry driver.

Where to watch out for car break-ins?

Ipswich street in the Fenway and Park Drive. That's where they left Laura's car in shambles and swiped Megan's purse from inside.

Megan, crime victim
"You come back, and everything's gone, and it's like your life is just destroyed so quickly."

It got so bad at Beacon and Charles, dozens and dozens of car break-ins, the police actually posted warning signs. But where else is your car in the most jeopardy?

The Arlington and Providence Streets area, Harrison Avenue and Union Park Street in the South End and Massachusetts Avenue and Newbury Street.

Boston Police Superintendent Robert Dunford, Chief of the Bureau of Field Services
"It's a quick very, very quick crime,"

So, who's going to prevent this? You are. Police call these "crimes of opportunity." Criminals see an opening and they take it.

Now you know where to watch out, and so, it's even more important to remember the basics:

* Protect your purse

* Watch your wallet

* Lock your stuff in the trunk.

Boston Police Superintendent Robert Dunford, Chief of the Bureau of Field Services
"The most frustrating thing is that people aren't aware. You are in a big city, and there are people here who will take advantage of you."

We have learned you'll soon be seeing more of those police warning signs, like the ones at Beacon and Charles. Boston Police Officials tell us they had already planned to put them up, and they'll be posted in many of the hot spots we found.

(Copyright 2007 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)