BOSTON — The encampments along Boston’s Mass and Cass corridor were cleared more than two months ago, but business owners say many of the problems haven’t been erased.
Business owners told Boston 25 News they’re still dealing with vandalism, trespassing and loitering on a regular basis.
The newly formed Business Improvement District, which property owners pay into, is getting ready to roll out new security measures to address the on-going issues.
Sue Sullivan, with the Newmarket Business Association, said an area wide security team will be deployed in the coming weeks to supplement police patrols.
“Hopefully a number of businesses will be able to cut back on their private security or they’ll be able to do away with it all together,” said Sullivan.
Sullivan said the goal is for the new team to offer a central security base for businesses with 24/7 dispatch.
“So many of our businesses have hired private security over the last year. The amount of money being spent on that is in the millions,” explained Sullivan. “Our hope is that we’ll really make a difference in the cost to businesses.”
The Business Improvement District also has plans to install a network of high-quality surveillance cameras in trouble spots.
“With technology and security there are a lot of things we can do that will deter people,” added Sullivan.
With the warmer months ahead, Sullivan and other business leaders worry more and more people will soon be congregating in the area again.
“It’s such a process to get into detox and to get a bed. It’s real easy to give up,” said Matt.
Matt told Boston 25 News he went from a tent to a temporary housing placement to a shelter and has faced obstacles getting into a detox program over the last four days.
“It’s getting a little discouraging. It’s day four, and I just can’t find a bed,” he said. “It’s easy to say it didn’t work today so I’ll try tomorrow. You try tomorrow, and it doesn’t work. That’s when you say, you know what, forget about it.”
Matt found out he was accepted into a 30 day detox program just minutes after his interview with Boston 25 News.
Some of the low-threshold housing placements set up by the city of Boston, including the Roundhouse Hotel, offer an on-site option for residents to enter recovery.
However, Matt says the path into treatment isn’t clear cut for everyone.
“I think 40 percent of the people I know who received temporary housing are actively seeking treatment right now,” he said. “I would say, don’t give up. Today sucks, but things might be a little better tomorrow.”
According to the city of Boston, 179 individuals have been placed into low-threshold housing.
A spokesperson sent the following statement to Boston 25 News.
“The City’s outreach teams continue to conduct street outreach daily. Through partnership between the Boston Public Health Commission and community partners, the City’s street outreach team includes recovery specialists, nurses, and housing navigators, bringing a new model of integrated services to the street. The outreach team refers individuals to treatment and housing resources, provides medical care, connects individuals to services at the City’s Engagement Center, as well as individuals with their home communities.”
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