With dozens of people still congregating at what's known as the 'Mass. and Cass' area of Boston, there are signs the city may be revisiting a controversial plan to use a jail to house people who linger there.
Boston police park at the intersection of Atkinson and Southampton Streets to keep an eye on the crowd that has gathered in the area
"As the calendar has circled around again to fall and winter, the conversations have picked up," Tompkins said."Some of the mayor's folk did visit with us about a month and a half ago and they looked at Nashua Street, and we haven't heard much from them since. I understand the urgency so I entertain the discussions."
"Although I am in favor of Section 35, for this initiative I'd rather we just work with individuals that are already engaged with the legal system because I don't want to hear the noise that we are trying to criminalize people," Tompkins said." ... I'd rather we just work with individuals that are already engaged with the legal system because I don't want to hear the noise that we are trying to criminalize people.
But people have continued to congregate in the area, which is home to several services for those who are unhoused and in need of addiction and mental health treatment. Over the summer, some tarps and makeshift tents returned to the neighborhood. Many local businesspeople and politicians say they are in favor of using Tompkins' facilities to house more people.
Area business owners, including DiPierro, have joined together to hire a private security company and install surveillance cameras. Sue Sullivan, executive director of the Newmarket Business Association, which represents businesses in the"Mass. and Cass" area, said the private security company responded to more than 11,000 calls in the past four months. She said she is arranging a meeting between business owners and city officials.
Galligan expects to move into more permanent housing soon, and said the transitional housing gave him some stability. "There are lots of people who are coming in from all across the state and even New England, outside Massachusetts."She said the 20 tent-like structures now in the area are not the same as the tents that were on the streets last year, because many of the previous structures were fortified with items such as wooden pallets and propane tanks for heat.
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