Boston's Battle Against Spreading Crime and Drug Use

Boston has been on a journey to tackle crime and drug use since clearing the Mass. and Cass encampment. This wasn't an easy task. The city's leaders, including Mayor Michelle Wu and Police Commissioner Michael Cox, have been busy addressing the spillover effects that have popped up in other areas. They've been working hard to make sure that Boston stays safe for everyone. The city is now focusing on ending drug use and related crimes in public spaces. This is a big deal because residents and local leaders have been frustrated with public safety issues in downtown Boston and other areas. After clearing the Mass. and Cass encampment, the city saw an increase in drug use and crime in places like the Boston Common, Roxbury, the South End, Dorchester, and South Boston. This has led to more calls for needle pickups, human waste cleanup, and other related issues. The Boston Police Department (BPD) is stepping up its game. They're increasing patrols in areas with high drug use and expanding their Street Outreach Unit. This unit will now work seven days a week and have more staff to help people get the treatment they need. The goal is to make sure there are no gaps in coverage and to be ready for any changes in crime patterns. The city's Coordinated Response Team (CRT) is also getting a boost. They're adding staff and working closely with the police to connect people with recovery services and treatment. The CRT is also reaching out to communities in areas like the South End, downtown, and Nubian Square to tackle the issue together. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is doing its part too. They're expanding their PAATHS program to help more people get access to recovery services. The BPHC is also working to clean up syringes and other waste in parks and near schools. They're even visiting businesses in drug use hotspots to provide overdose prevention education. Despite these efforts, there's still work to be done. The city has made progress, but there are still issues that need to be addressed. For example, an encampment on nearby Atkinson Street reappeared in 2023, leading to a major cleanup effort. Violent crime around Mass. and Cass dropped by 26% after the city enforced a new ordinance, but there's still more to do. Rishi Shukla, a founder of the Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association (DBNA), has been working with leaders like State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden, and City Councilor Ed Flynn to find solutions. They've been having productive meetings and planning formal actions to tackle the issue. As the weather warms up, the city needs to act fast. The issues downtown and elsewhere will likely get worse if they don't. Shukla is confident that they can find tangible solutions, but time is running out. The city has been making progress, but there's still a lot to do. The goal is to make Boston a safe place for everyone, and the city is working hard to make that happen.