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Why readers want Mass. and Cass declared a public health emergency
"The city is failing us, and those suffering with addiction.”
At a Boston City Council meeting on Wednesday, members discussed Councilor Ed Flynn’s resolution calling for a declaration of a public health and safety emergency around the Mass. and Cass area – a measure Boston.com readers largely agree with.
Councilor Ed Flynn offered stark remarks in support of the resolution.
“The conditions at not only massive chaos but also the surrounding neighborhoods in Roxbury, South Boston, Dorchester, the South End have significantly deteriorated.” In a second pressing statement, he said at the meeting, adding that “the city’s plan has failed. What has taken place there over a decade is completely unacceptable.”
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Flynn’s resolution characterizes Mass. and Cass as the epicenter of a “humanitarian crisis” fueled by long-simmering issues of homelessness, addiction, open-air drug markets, public defecation and violence. He called for a shift toward enforcement and a “treatment-first” model, endorsing a zero‑tolerance policy for public drug use and crime, alongside prioritizing establishment of a recovery campus.
Councilor Sharon Durkan, offering a measured counterpoint, argued the city council lacks the proper authority under existing statutes to declare a public health emergency.
“I don’t believe this resolution represents the right step forward,” she said during the meeting, adding that under the Massachusetts Public Health Act of 1995, the power lies with the Public Health Commission, which can issue emergency orders – bypassing the council’s usual legislative process.
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Durkan cautioned that such declarations “trigger specific emergency powers that are outside of the city council’s scope of legislative priority.” She further noted that “we’ve had the same conversation exactly two years ago.”
Because of Durkan’s objection to the resolution, Council President Ruthzee Luijeune referred the docket to the Committee on Public Health, Homelessness, and Recovery for further study.
As the committee deliberates, the city must decide how to address mounting concerns surrounding Mass. and Cass, a site that continues to symbolize Boston’s intersection of crisis and compassion.
When we asked Boston.com readers if the city should declare a public health and safety emergency, the overwhelming majority (93%) of the 147 respondents to our poll said yes.
Should Boston declare Mass and Cass a public health and safety emergency?
Yes
93%
No
7%
I'm not sure
1%
“Something new needs to happen. What’s been tried in the past is not working,” Boston.com reader Ben M. from Roxbury said.
Below, we share why readers support the call for a public health and safety emergency at Mass. and Cass.
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
Should Boston declare Mass. and Cass a public health and safety emergency?
Yes
“As a South End resident, enough is enough. We have a right to a safe and habitable neighborhood that doesn’t involve needles in our parks, on the steps of our kids’ schools and outside our homes. We are no longer tolerant or sympathetic to these addicts nor should they have a right to openly inject, defecate, deal drugs, steal from our stores or threaten our safety. When we complain we are told to ‘move to the suburbs’. This mayor has done nothing to solve this blight on the neighborhood. It’s time to take a stand.” – M., South End
“Completely agree, it’s unsafe for everyone but especially families and children. The city must do something urgently. It’s beyond breaking point.” – C.M., South End
“Drive through the area – it would be hard to disagree. I live near Chester Square on Mass Ave., and see addicts daily. It’s worse the closer you get to BMC. People pooping in yards and on doorsteps, needles everywhere, tiny plastic wrap from drugs all over the park. It is horrendous. The city is failing us, and those suffering with addiction.” – Laura, South End
“Absolutely. Prior action has just moved the issues to other neighborhoods. I see this daily by South Station now. Action must be taken to identify and treat the root cause of the issue, mental health and/or substance abuse.” – Larry F., South Shore
“I’m incredibly concerned about the number of needles on the ground that can be stepped on by innocent people (especially children!). Every time my daughter runs across a field or plays on a playground, I fear she’ll be the next kid to step on a needle. This shouldn’t be something parents have to worry about. Living in a city shouldn’t mean accepting biohazardous human waste strewn about public spaces.” – Brian, Roslindale
No
“The city should offer more permanent supportive housing for people, not just treatment. People need a roof over their heads.” – Sim G., Boston
“I’m not entirely sure, as I don’t live near Mass and Cass. That said, I do believe that drug use is illegal for a reason, and no one should be allowed to openly use drugs – especially in a way that creates safety concerns for the broader community. Mass and Cass are public city spaces, and everyone should feel safe and welcome there – not fearful.” – Chris C., North Andover
“They have no solution to this proposed emergency, so what is the point other than to continually waste our tax dollars?” – Anonymous reader
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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