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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is facing scrutiny for its costly use of private security.
The BPHC hired Ware Security of Norwood in 2021 to patrol “Mass & Cass,” the area known for drug use and unhoused individuals. The contract was for more than $3.1 million and expires at the end of 2023.
“The services rendered by Ware Security have been vital to promoting public safety in the area and supporting our outreach workers and clinical partners connect individuals to housing, health care, lifesaving harm reduction services, and other supports,” said the BPHC in a statement.
City Council President Ed Flynn has called on the BPHC “to be more transparent.”
“I would like to see the records from the private security company in terms of potential crimes, what they have reported to the Boston Police, how they follow it up with the court system,” said Flynn.
Flynn also discouraged the use of private security firms as opposed to traditional police force.
“Privatizing doesn’t work, we need to hire more Boston Police Officers consistently 300 to 400 every year for the next 10 years. We’re going to be losing a lot of police offers through retirement over the next 12 months,” said Flynn.
WBZ's Mike Macklin reports.
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