Councilors Flynn, Anderson and Santana will hold Hearing on Public Safety & Quality of Life issues at Mass & Cass next Tuesday, October 22 at 10am

BOSTON – Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, Councilor Tania Fernandes-Anderson, and At-Large Councilor Henry Santana will hold a hearing to discuss ways to provide public safety support and address quality of life issues at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard (Mass & Cass) next Tuesday, October 22nd at 10am. The hearing will address the critical need to enhance city response and services, and will discuss strategies to provide support and resources for those who live and work in the area. The discussion will include City officials, stakeholders from the business, residential and nonprofit community in Roxbury, South End, Dorchester, and South Boston.

Since the closure of the city’s Long Island recovery campus in the Fall of 2014, the opioid crisis has continued to drive those battling substance use disorder to Mass & Cass, where they can seek nearby methadone treatment or a bed at city-run shelters. While the encampments are removed, crowds continue to gather daily in the area, and violence and illegal activities, such as open-air drug dealing and drug use, have persisted. These activities have also spread to Roxbury, South End, Dorchester, South Boston and Downtown, which has negatively impacted residents and businesses. Trash, used needles, and human waste are also commonly reported in these neighborhoods.

“Mass & Cass continues to pose public safety and quality of life challenges for our neighbors, residents and businesses on a daily basis,” said Councilor Flynn. “We need to continue to provide treatment and recovery services for people with substance use issues; however, we must arrest individuals who are breaking the law, including those who continue to deal drugs and prey on vulnerable people, as well as others committing acts of violence.”To provide in-person or written testimony, please contact Shane Pac at [email protected]. This hearing will be held at the Iannella Chamber in Boston City Hall and live-streamed at boston.gov/city-council-tv. For more information, contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].