BOSTON – On Wednesday, August 19th, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn held an on-site South Boston public safety walk at West Broadway at Broadway Station, in response to residents’ concerns regarding recent homeless encampments and drug activity in South Boston. The meeting provided residents, neighborhood organizations, and law enforcement the opportunity to discuss the challenges facing the neighborhood, and identify immediate and long-term solutions to restore public safety. In attendance were the Boston Police Department, Kellie Young from the Coordinated Response Team, representatives from P&G Gillette, members of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, members of the St. Vincent Neighborhood Association, the Office of the Mayor and other stakeholders.

In recent weeks, residents and businesses have raised concerns about drug use and related activity in public spaces, homeless encampments, and discarded needles being found on sidewalks and in areas used by residents, children, workers, and visitors. These conditions are unacceptable and create serious concerns about public health, safety, and the overall quality of life in the neighborhood.

One of the areas identified as a hotspot, the West Broadway bridge, falls under split jurisdiction with the state, the city, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass DOT). This presents a challenge when trying to clear out encampments popping up in this area. Councilor Flynn plans to continue this important work by bringing the stakeholders responsible for the area together to discuss how to work collaboratively to address these issues, clean up the area, and ensure it is safe and accessible for everyone.

“Residents and businesses in South Boston deserve to feel safe in their neighborhood. Finding needles on sidewalks, seeing drug use in public spaces, and having encampments develop in areas used by families, workers, and visitors is unacceptable. We cannot allow these conditions to become normalized,  we need zero tolerance when it comes to public drug dealing and illegal drug use. People must be held accountable for their actions,” said Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn. “I will continue bringing stakeholders together and calling for both immediate action and long-term solutions to restore public safety and quality of life in South Boston. Let’s continue this important work together!”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].

Image via WBNA