Chairs: Jennifer Deabler, Dianne Lescinskas
Minutes: Doreen Miller
Also in attendance: Donna Blythe-McColgan, Heather Harris, Heidi Moesinger, James Newton, Celina Warot
Note: Flavio Daveiga, Director of Constituent Services at ISD, was invited to the meeting but could not come. He confirmed he would send someone from ISD Constituent Services to the meeting, but no one showed.
Email Highlights from Flavio Daveiga Re: Walgreens
- An investigation enforcement team from ISD is aware of the problem and is working with Walgreens management and district C-11 police.
- Management is supposed to report any problematic activities in real time to C-11.
- They will continue monitoring activity at the site.
- Four new people including Jessica Thomas and Lisa Murphy were copied on these emails
Walgreens
- Both Senator Collins’ and City Councilor Fitzgerald’s offices are involved and included on all updates.
- Frustration runs high as there seems to be lots of talk but no effective follow-through with actions.
- There is a “Mass and Cass” mood to the area.
- It draws vagrants who camp out all day and sleep there.
- There is ongoing drug and alcohol abuse.
- There is public defecation and urination on the property.
- Neighbors feel unsafe.
- There is a rodent problem as well.
- Walgreens has accrued lots of tickets/fines from the ISD that are being ignored.
- People showing signs of mental health issues are being attracted to the Walgreens area.
- Walgreens was recently sold. Questions remain as to what the plan is for the property.
- Shelves are mostly empty.
- If the property becomes vacant, who is responsible for putting up a fence and securing the area?
- C-11 Police Response
- Response to calls on problematic activity such as loitering, drug and alcohol abuse, public urination, etc., is delayed if it happens at all. By the time the police arrive, most times the problem is no longer evident.
- C-11 claims it is private property and that calls must come from the managers there, not the neighbors.
- The C-11 task force responds based on calls of service. However, it is not clear where those calls need to come from: neighbors, Walgreens, or 311 complaints.
- It seems this is a low priority issue with the police.
- Walgreens is listed as a “problem property” with the city.
- What does that actually mean?
- What control can the city wield over the property?
- This problem has been ongoing for years now affecting the quality of life of nearby residents. This is unacceptable and needs to be remedied.
- What can we do to draw attention to this and other safety issues?
- Email your reps about the problems.
- Ask why our section of Dorchester is neglected by the city and does not receive the level of service that other neighborhoods get. Why are we last on the list for things like speed humps and crosswalks even though we register the most 311 calls in this regard?
- Email Councilor Fitzgerald and ask why public/pedestrian safety is taking a back seat in our area.
- Be sure to copy The Dorchester Reporter on all emails, so that they become aware of the ongoing problems in this area.
Other Issues
- Trash diving for register receipts is something new. Be sure to shred all receipts you are throwing away.
There is a dearth of trash barrels down the beach over the winter months with piles of doggie feces bags piled up in the trash barrel spots.
- As dog feces attract rodents and feces can contaminate nearby waterways, this is an environmental issue.
- We should contact and involve the EPA about the problem to get DCR and the city to do their jobs and provide trash barrels year round.
- DCR and the city never cleaned up the beach following the severe flooding from winter storms. There are unsightly piles of seagrass, sand, and plastic trash all along the walkways, making walking hazardous. It is disgraceful.
- Mary Knasas is organizing a Morrissey Boulevard Walk-Thru with officials the week of May 7-10. The chairs will let members know the details once they have been set.
- Heather Harris knows a Criminal Justice student at UMassBoston looking for an intern position (unpaid). The chairs will consider this position and get back to Heather. This intern could possibly:
- Collect data related to our safety issues.
- Contact reps.
- Take pictures of problematic areas.
- Create and maintain a Savin Hill Safety Instagram account.
Action Items
- Members are encouraged to email their reps highlighting the problems in our area.
- The chairs will be in contact with our reps and other stakeholders to set up the next meeting to address the anticipation of increased activity in the summer months.
The next Safety Committee meeting is Thursday, May 16, 7 PM on Zoom. Link is on the CSHCA calendar.