Criminal activity in Boston prompts City Council to call for public safety hearing

BOSTON – A Boston city councilman is calling for more resources to be put into community space increasing reports of drug use and crime.

Drug use and violence

It’s an area steeped in history, but even a tour guide dressed as a patriot, who preferred not to be identified, said he runs his tours of the common fairly quickly.

“I’m trying to get out of the common within 10 minutes so I don’t have to worry about it, unfortunately that’s the only thing I can do at the moment. “Fortunately, there is enough to talk about in Boston for a revolution,” he said.

It hasn’t gone unnoticed by those who travel through the popular park.

“Of course, sometimes drug use is pretty unpleasant,” said Nicole Pedraca, visiting from Puerto Rico.

“You have to be alert to where you are, aware of your surroundings and be sensible about it,” said Darlene Ballbach, who was visiting from Cape Cod with a friend. “I would probably come here at certain times of the day.”

People avoid the area

It’s the type of response Councilman Ed Flynn said he receives all the time as he plans to schedule a hearing on public safety issues. Boston police said they have increased patrols by at least 25% in recent months, but Flynn insists that people, including tourists, are avoiding the area.

“There is drug dealing and drug use on Tremont Street, and a lot of people don’t even walk down Tremont Street because of the constant drug use,” Flynn said.

Kiosk employee Gerry Mayo sees this, but also says that the police have an effective presence but can do more than just patrol.

“If they put a little police kiosk down here that they need, that would solve a lot of problems,” Mayo said.

Companies suffer

Some say it has a financial impact, like kiosk worker Bill Peruse.

“Instead of making over $1,000, we’re barely making $100 a day,” Peruse said. He said not only are people wary of the area, but issues like lighting make them nervous. “Many tourists don’t come between the buildings at night because it’s dark.”

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city was committed to ensuring the region’s safety.

“Police commissioner all over the city [Michael] “Cox and the police are in close contact with neighborhood groups and are tracking statistics about what is happening,” Wu said.