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South End Residents Launch PAC for Mass and Cass Safety

Community members engaging in discussion about local safety concerns in Mass and Cass area.

Boston, October 11, 2025

News Summary

Residents of Boston’s South End have formed a new political action committee (PAC) named ‘Mass. and Cass PAC.’ The committee aims to raise awareness and inform voters about local safety concerns related to drug use and crime in the Mass and Cass area ahead of the November elections. The PAC plans to educate residents through candidate scorecards based on their responses to questionnaires covering critical public safety issues. The initiative prioritizes community engagement without endorsing any candidates.

Boston

New PAC formed by South End residents to address Mass and Cass safety ahead of November elections

A new political action committee (PAC) named “Mass. and Cass PAC” was formed by residents of the South End earlier this week. The PAC registered with the state on Monday with the aim of raising awareness about issues in the area and informing voters about officials’ positions. The move comes as concerns about public safety have been increasing among residents, officials, and business owners in the South End due to long-standing problems with drug use and crime around the Mass and Cass area, located at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.

The PAC aims to educate residents and has sent questionnaires to City Council candidates, who must submit their answers by the end of the day on Friday. The questionnaire covers issues such as needle distribution, increasing police patrols, and support for involuntary treatment options for individuals struggling with addiction. The questionnaire includes questions regarding safe consumption sites, the declaration of the Mass. and Cass situation as a public health emergency, and the potential for “warrant sweeps” in surrounding areas to address drug-related crime.

Why the PAC was formed and what it will do

Organizers say many residents are unclear about the commitment of elected officials on these pressing safety and health issues, and the PAC plans to provide clear, concise information rather than endorsing candidates. The PAC does not plan to endorse any candidates in the upcoming elections and focuses on educating voters about candidates’ positions rather than assigning blame or responsibility. Responses from candidates will be compiled into scorecards to be distributed to thousands of residents in the South End and Lower Roxbury.

Those behind the PAC are long-time residents of the South End but have chosen to remain anonymous publicly. They refer to themselves on social media as “Residents for a Safe & Healthy South End and Lower Roxbury”. The PAC is funded entirely through grassroots donations from community members. The PAC has hired The Chick Montana Group to handle campaign finance reporting.

Context: local safety concerns and recent hearings

Concerns about public safety in and around Mass and Cass have built over years and were the focus of an emotional City Council hearing held last month, during which residents shared experiences of finding needles on sidewalks and in parks, encountering break-ins and other crimes, as well as public urination and defecation. Despite efforts by the Wu administration to clear tent encampments in the area, many residents report worsening safety concerns that are spreading to other areas.

The upcoming municipal election in early November is expected to focus significantly on these public safety issues. With candidates preparing for campaigns, the PAC’s questionnaire is intended to give residents a consistent set of answers on key topics so voters can compare positions before casting ballots.

How the PAC will share information

The PAC plans to compile candidate responses into voter scorecards and distribute them to thousands of households in the South End and Lower Roxbury. Organizers say the goal is to help residents make informed decisions and to clarify where candidates stand on local responses to homelessness, addiction, public health measures, public safety patrols, and related enforcement or treatment strategies.

Organizers emphasize education over endorsement and say they will not assign blame. They have indicated that the effort is grassroots-funded and request no public identification from the founders at this time.

Next steps and timeline

  • Registration: PAC registered with the state on Monday.
  • Questionnaire deadline: City Council candidates must submit answers by the end of the day on Friday.
  • Distribution: Responses will be compiled into scorecards and distributed to thousands of residents in the South End and Lower Roxbury ahead of the municipal election in early November.

FAQ

What is the PAC?

A new political action committee (PAC) named “Mass. and Cass PAC” was formed by residents of the South End earlier this week.

When did the PAC register and what is its purpose?

The PAC registered with the state on Monday with the aim of raising awareness about issues in the area and informing voters about officials’ positions.

What has the PAC done for the upcoming elections?

The PAC aims to educate residents and has sent questionnaires to City Council candidates, who must submit their answers by the end of the day on Friday.

What topics are covered in the questionnaire?

The questionnaire covers issues such as needle distribution, increasing police patrols, and support for involuntary treatment options for individuals struggling with addiction.

Will the PAC endorse candidates?

The PAC does not plan to endorse any candidates in the upcoming elections and focuses on educating voters about candidates’ positions rather than assigning blame or responsibility.

Who started the PAC?

Those behind the PAC are long-time residents of the South End but have chosen to remain anonymous publicly.

How is the PAC funded?

The PAC is funded entirely through grassroots donations from community members.

Who is handling the PAC’s campaign finance reporting?

The PAC has hired The Chick Montana Group to handle campaign finance reporting.

How will candidate responses be shared with residents?

The responses from candidates will be compiled into scorecards to be distributed to thousands of residents in the South End and Lower Roxbury.

Where are the safety concerns centered?

Concerns about public safety have been increasing among residents, officials, and business owners in the South End due to long-standing problems with drug use and crime around the Mass and Cass area, located at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard.

What recent local government actions and reactions have there been?

Despite efforts by the Wu administration to clear tent encampments in the area, many residents report worsening safety concerns that are spreading to other areas.

What prompted public testimony recently?

An emotional City Council hearing was held last month, during which residents shared experiences of finding needles on sidewalks and in parks, encountering break-ins and other crimes, as well as public urination and defecation.

Are there other specific questions included in the PAC’s questionnaire?

The questionnaire includes questions regarding safe consumption sites, the declaration of the Mass. and Cass situation as a public health emergency, and the potential for “warrant sweeps” in surrounding areas to address drug-related crime.

Quick reference table

Item Details
PAC name “Mass. and Cass PAC”
Registration Registered with the state on Monday
Purpose Raising awareness and informing voters about officials’ positions
Questionnaire deadline City Council candidates must submit answers by the end of the day on Friday
Key questionnaire topics Needle distribution; increasing police patrols; involuntary treatment; safe consumption sites; public health emergency declaration; “warrant sweeps”
Funding Funded entirely through grassroots donations from community members
Campaign finance reporting The Chick Montana Group
Distribution of results Scorecards to be distributed to thousands of residents in the South End and Lower Roxbury
Planned endorsements No endorsements; focus on educating voters
Geographic focus South End and Lower Roxbury; Mass and Cass area located at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard

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Additional Resources

STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER

BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.

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