“I feel grateful”: tent residents disperse from Mass & Cass encampments

The dozens of people who remained in tents in Boston’s Mass and Cass corridor have officially cleared from the encampments, and some are hoping it will be a new beginning.

Others were less optimistic to leave the tents on the city’s January 12th deadline.

Social workers gave each person in a tent their final warning and once again offered housing options early Wednesday morning.

Public works crews began clearing debris, trash and other abandoned items from tents that were set up in the Newmarket Square business district and outside the city run engagement center.

Many of the tents had become so large and fortified that city workers had to use bulldozers to break them apart.

The final residents to leave had mixed emotions about parting ways with the tent community.

“I feel grateful, but at the same time it’s going to be sad for some people,” said Juan Flores. “We are all survivors.”

Juan Flores said he was connected with housing in Lawrence.

His close friend, who had been living in a tent near him, moved into the nearby Roundhouse Hotel on Wednesday night.

“Thank god, I got my house. They gave me a room. The help is right there. You just got to be patient,” said Juan Torres.

Torres told Boston 25 News he’s formed a bond with others who had been living in tents around him but that he was ready to go.

“It’s dangerous, and I agree with that,” he said. “It’s not easy being in the street under a tent.”

Others who came to witness Wednesday’s cleanup said they worried about the future of those who have dispersed.

“It’s hopelessness that’s out here,” said Jonathan Bradley, who once lived on the streets. “They might get them off the street, but there’s no path for them to get better.”

Mayor Wu and her new team say the solution is to help each person find a home that’s safer than the conditions they’ve been living in.

One man who assisted with the massive cleanup said he hopes that will be the case.

“I’m glad this is gone because of all the drug dealers,” said Shannon Blumenthal. “I’m 39 days sober so this just motivates me not to want to use.”

Boston Police officers have been standing by to make sure no one tries to set up any new tents.

Police have been focused on keeping the peace and haven’t criminalized people in the encampments.

©2022 Cox Media Group