Boston, September 4, 2025
News Summary
The Boston City Council is set to hold a public hearing to discuss public safety measures and declare a humanitarian crisis due to rampant drug use in the Mass. and Cass area. The hearing, scheduled for Thursday evening at the Hampton Inn, will examine updates to the city’s safety response and gather public testimony. Increased drug-related arrests have prompted officials to implement new strategies, including the addition of nearly 100 officers and enhanced public health services aimed at addressing the pressing substance use issues in the community.
Boston
City Council to hold hearing on humanitarian crisis and public safety emergency in Mass. and Cass area
The Boston City Council will hold a public hearing Thursday evening at the Hampton Inn & Suites at 811 Massachusetts Avenue to review updates to the city’s public safety plan and to consider a resolution declaring a humanitarian crisis in the Mass. and Cass corridor linked to open drug use and dealing. The hearing begins at 6 p.m. and will include public testimony. City officials released a five-page memo this week outlining revised response steps and emphasizing that open substance use in Boston is illegal and unacceptable.
What the hearing will cover
Councilors will review the Coordinated Response Team memo and debate a resolution that labels the situation a public safety emergency. The resolution was filed last month by District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn and stems from mounting resident complaints about discarded needles, drug paraphernalia, open drug use, and related criminal activity in the South End and surrounding neighborhoods. The resolution was referred to committee but will receive a hearing because of significant public concern.
Law enforcement and public safety data
The Boston Police Department reported 467 drug-related arrests in the South End and Roxbury so far this year, representing an 85% increase from the previous year. The city’s plan to reduce outdoor drug activity includes nearly 100 new officers, expanded bicycle patrols, enhanced street lighting, more frequent street cleaning, and the installation of portable cameras in targeted areas.
Treatment and public health responses
The Coordinated Response Team has focused on connecting people to treatment services, averaging 55 individuals per week transitioned to treatment over the past six months. Boston’s Public Health Commission has shifted its approach to syringe services by stopping outdoor syringe distribution and increasing collection efforts for discarded needles. Over the last six months, the Public Health Commission reported transporting 785 individuals to treatment and issuing 1,185 treatment referrals.
Proposed operational changes
The city’s memo outlines a series of practical measures intended to reduce outdoor substance use and its harms. These updates include the law enforcement and public-safety measures listed above, plus the creation of a new case management hub to connect individuals to substance use treatment more directly. City leaders are also reforming needle distribution practices to lower public risk after an incident involving needle exposure to a child. Increased outreach and addiction support services are being layered alongside enforcement actions.
Political and community reactions
Local councilors and residents are divided on how to proceed. One councilor who filed the emergency declaration criticized existing plans as insufficient and urged more aggressive law enforcement against public drug use. Another councilor opposed the emergency declaration on the grounds that it would not by itself secure funding for long-term solutions. Additional council members have raised concerns about the timing of the memo and whether the proposed steps will move quickly enough to address community fears ahead of upcoming elections.
Residents in the South End have described worsening conditions related to discarded needles and visible drug use. Some residents say these problems have spread to nearby neighborhoods since a camping ban implemented by the mayor in late 2023. Others welcomed new operational steps but said the updates in the report came later than needed and warned that persistent drug issues could further degrade public safety and quality of life.
What will happen at the hearing
The City Council hearing will collect public testimony and allow councilors to question City Hall officials and public health representatives about the memo and the proposed emergency resolution. Officials are expected to describe deployment plans for additional officers and outreach teams, timelines for the case management hub, and details on needle distribution reforms and needle-collection efforts. The council will use the hearing to determine next steps, including possible amendments to the resolution and recommendations for funding or operational changes.
FAQ
What is the hearing about?
The hearing will review updates to Boston’s public safety plan for the Mass. and Cass area and consider a council resolution declaring a humanitarian crisis related to open drug use and dealing. Public testimony is part of the proceeding.
When and where is the hearing?
The hearing is scheduled for Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 811 Massachusetts Avenue.
Who filed the emergency resolution?
The resolution declaring a public safety emergency in the area was filed by District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn last month.
What public safety and health actions has the city taken?
The city reported nearly 100 new officers planned for deployment, expanded bicycle patrols, improved lighting, more street cleaning, portable cameras, a new case management hub, and reforms to syringe distribution and collection. Public health teams have transported hundreds to treatment and increased referrals.
What are the key statistics?
The Boston Police Department recorded 467 drug-related arrests in the South End and Roxbury this year, an 85% increase from the prior year. The Coordinated Response Team has moved an average of 55 people per week into treatment in the past six months. The Public Health Commission transported 785 individuals to treatment and made 1,185 treatment referrals in the past six months.
Will the public be able to speak?
Yes. Public testimony will be included in the hearing. Attendees should plan to arrive early to register if required by the council’s procedures.
Quick reference table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Boston City Council public hearing on Mass. and Cass response |
| Date & Time | Thursday evening, starts at 6 p.m. |
| Location | Hampton Inn & Suites, 811 Massachusetts Avenue |
| Main topics | Updates to safety response plan, humanitarian crisis resolution, public testimony |
| Key enforcement measures | Nearly 100 new officers, bicycle patrols, portable cameras, improved lighting, frequent street cleaning |
| Key health measures | Case management hub, revised needle distribution, increased needle collection, treatment transports and referrals |
| Recent statistics | 467 drug-related arrests in South End and Roxbury this year (85% increase); 55 people per week moved to treatment (six-month average); 785 transported and 1,185 referrals by Public Health Commission (six months) |
| Who filed the resolution? | District 2 Councilor Ed Flynn |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Josh Kraft Accuses Wu Administration of Delaying Hearings Ahead of Election
Boston City Council to Address Public Health Emergency at Mass and Cass
Boston City Council Tensions Rise Over Transparency Issues
Boston City Council Proposes Regional Fund for Mass. and Cass Crises
Additional Resources
- Boston Herald: Wu administration planning police crackdown at Boston’s Mass and Cass amid crime surge
- WCVB: Wu administration releases plan to tackle drug issues at Mass and Cass
- Boston Globe: Boston City Council public hearing on Mass and Cass safety
- Boston 25 News: Calls grow louder for drastic shift in Mass and Cass approach
- Wikipedia: Drug Policy Reform
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