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(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)
By Jack Connolly
Jackconnolly422@gmail.com
Street guy Mike dead of drug overdose on May 10, 8:30 a.m., in Davis Sq. Plaza. Days later another OD, this time saved by a good Samaritan who had Narcan.
A week later, shots fired into a Paulina St. apartment, a few blocks up from Davis Sq. Last Tuesday, at 8:30 p.m., a disagreement between two men resulted in one man being stabbed multiple times, again in the Davis Square Plaza. For the first time in months, more than one police vehicle was present in Davis Square as several Somerville police officers and vehicles were in the plaza, dealing with a violent crime scene.
Lifetime Winslow Avenue residents say they’re even nervous during daytime trips in and out of the Square these days. “First time in my life I’ve been nervous in the daytime,” remarked a Davis Sq. lifer.
Residents and merchants alike say the street people, many homeless addicts and alcoholics, act up loudly daily outside the 7-Eleven during the day, and then carry on into the wee hours of the morning in the MBTA busway behind the College Ave. T stop. Nearby neighbors are less than thrilled with lack of a City of Somerville response, especially the lack of a regular police presence.
Talk on the street says that Somerville Police have been discouraged from dealing with Davis Sq. street people by some members of the City Council.
Swell. So, what else is the city contemplating for Davis Sq., which was once termed “The Paris of the Nineties.”
According to a webinar hosted by the City of Somerville last week, a “safe consumption center,” also known as a drug injection site, is being considered in Davis Sq.
Is this what Davis Sq. needs now? Crumbling crosswalks, the soon to be eliminated parking on both sides of College Avenue from the T stop to Morrison Ave.? And this will help Davis Sq. residents and businesses how?
A final report is supposed to be issued by the end of this month, with recommendations on possible locations for such a facility.
Note to City leaders: Keeping drug users from dying is certainly noble and laudable, but why in a specific location in Davis Square or East Somerville? Surely residents and abutters will have questions and concerns galore. If this consumption center for drug addicts is necessary, why not a mobile unit that could travel around the community where the addicted users are? I wonder if the forthcoming report will include cost information (city tax dollars to be used?) and location recommendations? Stay tuned: Hundreds of residents, businesses, and community folks will be on the lookout for all those details.
Here’s a thought; How about locating the safe consumption center in the MA General Brigham basement parking lot in Assembly Square right next to the Orange Line T stop? After all, aren’t they in the health care business attempting to keeping people alive?
Jack Connolly is a native Somervillian, a Davis Sq. resident and insurance agent: He is also a former Somerville Ward Six and At Large Alderman (known now as City Councilor).
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Jack…. Why is it that it takes an Op-ed from you for us to hear about this stuff? I’m still waiting for a comment (and maybe a plan of action) from the mayor on all this, as well as on the rash of recent gun violence in the Temple St/Mystic area. I suspect that I will be waiting quite awhile.
This is a disappointing op ed. Referring to human beings as “street people” and “addicts” is grim to see from a former city councilor who I very much supported. I’d urge you to consider the impact of how you communicate about these issues. I’d urge community members to attend the meetings about the safe consumption sites and have their questions answered.
Jack.
For you to include someone in an article that passed away both tragically and unexpectedly is disgusting. Have you heard from the medical examiner that it was an overdose? My guess is no because you are not Mikey’s family so for you to speculate that the cause of death was an overdose just due to the fact that he was homeless is discriminatory. Not only that, but how would you feel if your son, father, brother, or other family member was found dead outside and someone writes an op ed with the first line being “Jack Connolly’s street son dead.” I going to guess you wouldn’t be to happy. Honestly this whole article is disgusting.
It is extremely disappointing to see something published describing other human beings with the words “street people” and “addicts” these are unkind and the harmful types of language that perpetuates stigmas and makes it difficult for these HUMANS to be respected and make the progress that they desire. Also, to speak on a situation that you do not have any facts about and a person that you did not know personally. And there is no proof that police presence will decrease, how about services like a safe injection site which will provide people with a safe place to go plus service providers.
Finally, someone who cares enough about their community to speak up. Jack is right, the city is falling apart in front of our very eyes. No wait, it’s falling apart behind a dark curtain raised by city councilors and this cities administration. If the residents were only aware of a fraction of the drug use, violent crime, and concern of the businesses that must work around it every day they’d be shocked. This city is turning its back on the families and good people who live here, the police department who works to prevent and address these issues, and the DPW workers who must clean up after it. If you are not aware of these issues as a resident, it’s not your fault. It’s kept very quiet by your politicians to protect the idea that Somerville is a progressive utopia. Keeping these issues from your residents puts them at risk. Be transparent.
Awful of you to speak of these people in such a derogatory, dehumanizing manner. Addicts and homeless people have a right to exist. What is your alternative???? Round them up?? Stop complaining and find middle ground