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
- Boston.com: New PAC formed by South End residents
- Boston Herald: Residents plan to launch Mass. Cass PAC
- Florida Phoenix: Rick Scott’s Super PAC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: African National Congress
- Sports Illustrated: Boise State Breaks Ground

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