Boston Common becoming a "disaster," some say, because of stabbings and drugs
BOSTON - Crime scenes are becoming more common in and around Boston Common, one of the city's most popular tourist attractions.
There was a stabbing there early Tuesday morning and that's renewing concerns over safety. A man was stabbed by the Brewer Fountain around 8 a.m. during rush hour. He went to the hospital and is expected to survive, but his attacker got away.
Tourists on the Freedom Trail were forced to take a detour as Boston Police closed off the area for hours.
In June, four people walking to their hotel were hurt in a stabbing attack near the fountain, and in August, another person was stabbed nearby at Downtown Crossing.
"It's a disaster"
Jack Greeley walks in the Common a few times a week.
"You walk right through and you see drugs, you see filth, you see mess. Honestly, it's a disaster." Greeley told WBZ-TV. "I'm completely unsurprised. You see people on all kinds of drugs all day. I've seen people bleeding. I've seen fights."
"They need to do something because this should be a great area," he said.
Lauren Thomas walks dogs part-time on the Common. She's worried about their safety.
"The obvious trash from drugs is really difficult with a dog because you have to really be watching them the entire time," she said.
"We're working very closely with our police officers and just to coordinate services for anyone who might need it, but also to make sure there's visibility and presence," Mayor Michelle Wu told reporters Tuesday.
"It's not enough"
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn plans to host a hearing soon at City Hall to discuss safety on the Common.
"We have increased police 25% over the last several months. It's not enough. But we also have to ensure when someone is arrested for a violent offense and if they are convicted, they do state sentence," he said.
Vendors say the crime is hurting business.
"A lot of the tourists don't want to come in the park anymore because they're afraid," one told WBZ. "The violence and the drugs have gotten worse. The homeless has gotten worse."
Tommy of Father and Sons Sausage said an increase in police presence would help.
"For the most part now, this corner, I've seen for the last, maybe year or so, has been getting worse and worse," he told WBZ.