Boston’s fresh plan to handle Mass and Cass this summer

This summer, Boston is rolling out a new way to deal with the well-known issues at Mass and Cass. Instead of just cracking down on crime, the city wants to guide people into addiction treatment. The plan relies on teams like NEST, which stands for Neighborhood Engagement Safety Team. These teams work with police from different departments to connect people breaking the law with recovery programs. Since the program started in late March, they’ve already helped over 200 people, with 125 moving into treatment. The city’s memo explains that NEST will expand across Boston, not just in Mass and Cass. This means more officers will learn how to use the NEST approach. The goal is to make neighborhoods safer and build trust with residents. The plan also targets nearby areas like the South End and Roxbury, where issues often spill over.A big question is whether the state will fund this effort. Lawmakers added $4 million to the budget for homelessness, addiction, and crime programs. But the money isn’t locked in yet. Even if it passes, the Senate could change things. Supporters are hopeful but cautious. Officials say the new approach is working. Violent crime is down 33% compared to last year, and quality-of-life calls have dropped 20%. Arrests are up, but that’s part of the plan—to get people help, not just jail time. The city argues that treating addiction as a health issue, not just a crime, makes neighborhoods better for everyone.