(NationalUSNews.com) — The Democratic Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, issued an order to dismantle the infamous “methadone mile.” Methadone Mile is an area of Boston infamous for heavy drug use, with many addicts living in tents throughout the southern part of the city. The area is riddled with extraordinary crime rates and drug trafficking, encouraging residents of the mile to remain in the area and live on the street in tents and tarp covers.
Starting November 1st, authorities will dismantle the area, and the people with an addiction living in Methadone Mile will be displaced to other parts of Boston. Wu issued the order in response to the growing crime rate and prevalence of substance abuse, and the city will be deploying social workers to prevent new residents from living in the area. Wu’s order will also increase the police presence in the region and connect homeless citizens in Methadone Mile with other free housing opportunities in other parts of the city.
Wu’s order received support from Boston City Council President Ed Flynn, who advocated for a stricter police approach in the area surrounding Methadone Mile. Flynn told various Boston media outlets about his desire to see the drug dealers, addicts, and other thieves residing in the area face criminal charges. Wu’s order isn’t directly focused on charging anyone with a crime but will increase the police presence in the area and crack down on future crimes by potential residents.
Flynn’s outspoken support echoes a sentiment shared among many Boston residents, who want the city’s leaders to take action against crime-infested areas. Boston’s police chief also supported Wu’s order, claiming it would prevent criminals from victimizing addicts in the area.
Peter Durant, a state representative in Massachusetts, also approves of Wu’s order, but he said the failure to address Boston’s growing immigrant crisis would prompt more tent cities to arrive. Durant claims that Wu’s order is a step in the right direction, but without a tentative housing policy, migrants will construct more tent cities in other parts of the area. Durant offered a policy to prevent the housing crisis from growing, which would require migrants to be legal citizens for three years before being eligible for state-funded housing.
Copyright 2023, NationalUSNews.com
