Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Public officials in Boston are launching a public safety action plan to address issues related to drug use, homelessness, and crime in the city.
The One Downtown Task Force is a 10-member operation co-chaired by Mayor Michelle Wu, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden. The initiative, led by city and state officials and law enforcement, aims to reduce crime and homelessness, improve public safety, and enhance Bostonians' overall quality of life. This joint effort follows a closed-door public safety summit held in February, attended by 92 stakeholders from 45 organizations and agencies, to discuss the ongoing challenges in Downtown Boston.
"We've had some issues here over the last 24 months. Stabbings, shootings, other things. It happens across the country, happens across other parts of the city, but we've had a couple of instances here where residents do not feel safe going to different parts of the neighborhood because of these high-profile incidents," said Rishi Shukla, co-founder of the Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association and task force member. "We have kids walking to school, and there's a stabbing on the common... can't have that."
Many residents cite the lack of upkeep at shelters as a reason for some of the issues in the area.
"Fix the shelters. I know a lot of sober homeless people don't go to shelters because the shelters have a lot of drug use in them. So, fix up the shelters, make them nicer," said one resident, while another highlighted the perilous conditions at the facilities.
"The shelters that there are, aren't particularly safe. I've worked in shelters doing like EMT work. I wouldn't stay there. I would choose to stay outside."
The task force is expected to remain active through Fall 2025 to implement targeted strategies, make necessary adjustments, and measure the overall impact of their efforts.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.