On Monday, elected officials, law enforcement, residents and neighbors gathered to discuss public safety in the neighborhood at the Iron Workers Union Hall. South Boston Beat on Youtube recorded the meeting. Topics of discussion included Mass + Cass, trouble at the beaches, on the MBTA, spiked drinks at bars/restaurants, St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the need for more police presence.
Things got a little heated when one resident and member of the Boston Police Department called out an incident reported in the Boston Herald that involved City Councilor-at-large Julia Mejia and a Boston Police officer and an accusation of intimidation against Mejia.
Bill “Touchie” McDonough – local community meeting legend – brought up that we need to arrest the people committing crimes and the system is broken. He mention the fact that Mayor Wu is spending too much time and money on things like parties on open streets – like the Celtics viewing party and the Donna Summer Disco Party. He would like there to be more focus on public safety.
The crowd in the back of the room began to erupt into chant of “Shame on Wu” while Flynn tried to regain control of the meeting. Congressman Steve Lynch then took the mic and tried to quiet the crowd. He asked the crowd to allow the person on the panel to answer the questions and concerns being shouted out. Then it turned into a shouting match back and forth.
The assistant DA Kevin Mullen got up and tried to speak. Flynn asked the crowd to be respectful. The crowd in the back was going nuts again. Lynch took the mic and said the crowd in the back didn’t seem to want solutions. “Let’s be respectful of each other. Let’s have a conversation.” The loud crowd was not having it.
Mullen got back up, “Our entire office is dedicated to keeping the streets safe.” The DA’s office is working to get the pimps and drug pushers off of the Mass+ Cass area. The stopping of drug-trafficking guns is another top priority of the DA’s office.
Flynn did wrap up the meeting by apologizing to the residents for the rude and disrespectful crowd in the back of the room.
You can watch the full video of the meeting here.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
Donna Summer Tribute Disco has been a tradition for years and one of the best events the city sponsors. Toot toot..
The people yelling from the back are literally so embarrassing. If they actually care about this neighborhood a modicum of respect would be a good way to show it.
…just sit there and listen to 2 hours of “…we’re collaborating “ and “leaning in” and “….organizing a concerted effort to collaborate and lean in”… sure.
Just shut up and take it. That would be this collection of stuffed suits’ preference (and obviously yours). And they are elected AND PAID by the people in that room …AND THEY SHALL BE HEARD.
If you’re ok with spending 2 hours of your life listening to …well, “nothing”, actually……then shame on you.
But don’t speak for the rest of us.
…of the time it took to watch this video. What a bunch of elected, do-nothing blowhards. Frank Baker is literally the only one I’d ever even consider voting for again. The cops? I can’t blame the cops for any of this. They get absolutely no support in doing their jobs. The ones who haven’t already put in their osiers are relegated to just surviving now. Doing whatever it takes to get through the day without getting “cancelled” in one way or another (worse”) way. C’mon. We all saw ithis comings.
And what’s with Collins? Could you play to that camera anymore? Ease up on the animation. Charlie Baker already has a translator. As far as Lynch, who “remembers a time when…blah, blah, blah…”
Ya know what “I” remember? I remember when he ran against Bill Bulger, Jr. I remember Lynch (as well as his supporters) as not being at ALL shy about shouting people down . So just stop it, all of you. And Ed Flynn; next time you have a little get-together, try to keep in mind who pays your (excessive) salary.
That “meeting” was an entire waste of time.
Accomplished NOTHING.
Yep, Maybe the City Council should be Defunded. What are We paying all these people to do. They hid in there houses when the poor merchants on Newbury and Boylston Street were having their businesses trashed. These people talk a good game but, do nothing. They should do a ride along with the fine professional Police Officers of the Boston Police who risk their lives every day they put on their uniform. Yep and where did the City Councilor who wants to take highly trained Police Officers off of construction details. come from. I love my city but , this Mayor and some members of the City Council are going to turn this city into another Chicago or Baltimore.
My last comment concerns our weak City Councilor Ed Flynn who is nothing like his father who was a strong leader not a Wuss.8