SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Somerville residents continue to express frustration with how city officials are managing the homeless population and safety concerns.
The city has been dealing with issues related to people experiencing homelessness for a long time.
But lately, residents have been complaining about a handful of people staying in Davis Square's Statue Park and occupying public spaces.
A picture of a tarp/tent in the middle of downtown was recently posted to social media, leading to a flurry of responses and calls made to the mayor's office demanding action.
The park is the location of family events such as the city's 'SomerMovieFest,' an annual series of outdoor family-friendly movies.
Thursday night's featured film in Statue Park is 'Wayne's World.'
"We're not bad people," said Carolle Ann, a person sleeping in the park.
She said while she understands the concerns residents have, she hopes people understand what it's like to be without a permanent home.
"We're just homeless. You have to understand they (residents) could be in the same situation. What happened to me could happen to them. It's scary."
Some residents though are blaming the homeless for violence and open drug use in that area making residents feel unsafe.
WBZ NewsRadio has reached out to the mayor's office for comment.
WBZ NewsRadio's (@jamesrojas.bsky.social) reports.