The question of how best to handle the homelessness issue in the Davis Sq. still remains unanswered. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Nirvana Ragland

Davis Square, long known for its indie theaters and bustling cafes, finds itself at a crossroads. The Somerville neighborhood’s residents and business owners are seeking solutions as more people without homes seek shelter in the area’s parks and doorways, sparking community-wide debates about public space and social services.

The Somerville Police Department has implemented a 24-hour directed patrol of Davis Square and Seven Hills Park in response to escalating concerns over public safety and open drug use. Despite these efforts, residents and business owners report ongoing issues.

“Our staff is terrified to bring trash to our rear dumpster because addicts have taken to literally tossing their used needles over our fence,” said Ian Judge, theater director for the Somerville Theatre. “These same street people regularly defecate and urinate on our back and side doors, meaning we are the ones who have to clean it up.”

Judge’s concerns echo those of many in the community. The theater has had to increase security measures, adding cameras and incurring higher maintenance costs to clean up needles and garbage left near their property.

Not everyone sees the situation as dire. Gene, an MBTA worker who declined to give his last name, offers a different perspective. “I have to regularly tell people who are shooting up in the train station that they must leave, but in my opinion, they’ve never been violent or posed a threat,” he said.

The issue has sparked debate about potential solutions. Some community members advocate for medical supervision sites where people can use drugs under the watch of trained health workers to prevent overdoses and deaths. Others worry such measures could draw more people with drug addiction to the area.

“My worry is policies are gonna act like a magnet to bring people here,” said one resident at a recent Davis Square Neighborhood Council meeting who previously served on the neighborhood taskforce. “If you accommodate this behavior, you’re going to get more of it.”

The situation has also impacted local institutions. The Somerville Library recently reduced its hours of operation, closing from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday due to safety concerns after patrons and workers were harassed and some reported being physically harmed.

Elizabeth King, a 90-year-old homeowner who has lived in Davis Square for over 65 years, sees multiple facets to the issue. “There are many layers to the situation in Davis Square, and people are passionate about it,” she said. “You have these people who have lived here for so long and they have seen it change, they have a version of it that they’re used to and then you’ve got these young students who go to school in the area that come here too.” King rents out two of the floors of her home to Tufts students but finding housing in downtown Somerville still proves to be difficult according to many who showed up at the neighborhood council meeting back in late September.

The Davis Square Neighborhood Council, formed earlier this year, has grown quickly. At its September meeting in the West Branch Somerville Public Library, more than 30 people packed the room, with some standing against walls and sitting on the floor.

Elaine Almquist, who led the council meeting, saw familiar faces and newcomers alike. “We have longtime residents sitting next to college students and new homeowners,” she said. “Each person brings their own concerns about the neighborhood.”

The meetings focus on pressing neighborhood issues: housing costs, business development, street safety, and the problems in Seven Hills Park. The park, which sits beside the Davis Square train station, has become a particular worry for residents.

“We spent over 30 minutes discussing Seven Hills Park alone,” Almquist explained. “People are proposing everything from safety measures and addressing drug use to organizing community activities in the park and removing shrubbery that might be used as cover for illicit activities.”

The city plans to reopen overnight warming centers this winter, offering bathrooms, sleeping spaces and meals to people without homes. Meanwhile, the council continues its monthly meetings, scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on the last Monday of each month at the West Branch Library.

“We need solutions that work specifically for Davis Square,” said Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis. “While homelessness and drug use are national problems, our job is to make our neighborhood better for everyone who lives and works here.”

The next council meeting is expected to take place on November 6, with a continued focus on Seven Hills Park safety and winter preparations. Residents can find meeting details on the Davis Square Neighborhood Council website or posted in the Somerville library.