Mass & Cass business owner plans to install irrigation system to keep property clear

BOSTON — A business owner on Boston’s Mass and Cass corridor is planning to take further action to protect his property and employees.

Mario Signore, who manages his family’s property on Southampton Street, told Boston 25 News he’s planning to install an array of new high tech security features and irrigation system on the roof.

He said the irrigation system would create a waterfall effect to prevent people from camping out under his loading docks at night.

The location houses a food processing plant, an ice factory and distribution warehouse and a new cannabis delivery business he’ll be launching in the coming months.

It sits just one block away from Atkinson Street where hundreds of people congregate and dozens of tents and structures are set up.

“It’s insanity,” said Signore. “I don’t know what the breaking point is but for me, as a business owner, I have to start taking the matter into my own hands.”

Signore said he is saddened that it’s come to this but told Boston 25 News he feels he has no other choice.

He describes picking up needles and paraphernalia from underneath trucks and loading docks every day.

He also said he’s been forced to defend himself and his employees at a moment’s notice.

“I had to break up a fight the other day between one of our drivers and a guy,” he explained. “He was swinging a two wheel cart trying to protect himself from a crazy guy who didn’t know who he was who was, screaming gibberish and trying to eat the guy’s face.”

Community leaders addressed new concerns about the current situation at Mass and Cass at a virtual neighborhood meeting on Tuesday.

South End Community Forum leader Steve Fox said there have been five stabbings over the last week.

He also shared details about a recent incident where Boston Police Lieutenant Peter Messina was maced in an unprovoked attack.

Messina, who has been BPD’s point man on Mass and Cass, was visibly absent from Tuesday’s meeting.

Boston Police have not yet disclosed any further details.

“We have Atkinson street, where tents are an omnipresent feature,” said Fox. “We have a police lieutenant that was just maced by somebody riding their bicycle on Atkinson Street and macing him.”

Boston’s Coordinated Response Team Director said Mayor Michelle Wu visited Mass and Cass this week.

Tania Del Rio said the city has gone back to the drawing board and is trying to come up with some emergency safety enhancements to implement over the next week.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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