‘It’s gunna spread’: Encampment crackdown to resume in Boston Monday

BOSTON — Dozens of tents have reappeared in Boston’s Mass and Cass corridor, but the city says all of them need to go on Monday.

The city distributed flyers in the area last week encouraging people to start making arrangements to move their belongings and vacate the area before the encampment protocol resumes.

Boston 25 News observed at least 30 tents still set up on Atkinson Street outside the Engagement Center on Sunday night.

A city spokesperson told Boston 25 News that the city chose not to enforce the removal of the tents this winter out of concern for people’s wellbeing.

“Individuals in the area are being asked to voluntarily remove their tent and are being encouraged to take advantage of the free shelter, substance use treatment, relocation, and storage options available to them,” said a statement from the city.

“That’s sad if they take down the tents. A lot of people are stuck out on these streets,” said area resident Jimmy Lymberopoulos.

Boston 25 News spoke with several people on Atkinson Street about the upcoming crackdown.

“You’re taking down the tents. It’s gunna spread,” said one man who didn’t want his name used. “When you knock those tents down, now those people are going to be out in the public.”

Sue Sullivan, with the Newmarket Business Improvement District, said outreach workers and city crews will be working to prevent people from moving the tents into other neighborhoods.

“We can’t allow that to happen,” said Sullivan. “A lot of very bad things go on in the tents.”

The flyer distributed by the city said that the removal of all tents and structures on Atkinson Street “is in accordance with our local laws and regulations”.

“We understand that a tent or structure has been your temporary home, but it is important to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the area for everyone. Illegal and harmful activity that has occurred inside tents and structures is of deep concern to law enforcement and public health teams. The presence of tents and structures has also caused damage to the environment and surrounding infrastructure. Emergency vehicles and businesses have found it difficult to access the street. With cold weather subsiding, we thank you for your help making the neighborhood safer by removing encampments,” it stated.

0 of 5