波士頓市府宣佈LINDSEY SANTANA出任鄰里服務辦公室副主任 LYDIA POLASKI 出任南波士頓聯絡員

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES LINDSEY SANTANA AS DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES AND LYDIA POLASKI AS SOUTH BOSTON LIAISON

BOSTON - Friday, October 27, 2023 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced Lindsey Santana as a new Deputy Director of the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) and Lydia Polaski as the new South Boston Neighborhood Liaison. The Office of Neighborhood Services plays an integral role in connecting residents to City services and resources, facilitating resident input in all aspects of local government, ensuring the appropriate City departments respond to constituent service requests, attending neighborhood meetings, and responding to emergencies such as fires to help displaced residents.  “I’m thrilled these two accomplished leaders are joining our Office of Neighborhood Services. Lindsey knows every corner of City Hall and leads with compassion and expertise,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Lydia has a proven track record of advocating on behalf of South Boston families and building community. I look forward to working with both of them to better address the daily concerns of our residents.”

Lindsey Santana  Lindsey Santana started her career in City Hall as a Community Project and Marketing Coordinator for the Office of Public Service, which is now known as the Mayor’s Office of Civic Organizing. She later became the Jamaica Plain liaison in ONS and served in that role for two years. Santana has also served as Community Engagement Manager for the Environment Department and most recently served as the Chief of Staff for City Councilor Brian Worrell.  “Lindsey’s return to the Office of Neighborhood Services is a win for the team,” said Community Engagement Cabinet Chief Brianna Millor. “Her background as a former neighborhood liaison and her experience in local government makes her fit to be an effective leader to support our neighborhood liaisons in delivering impactful constituent services.”  In her new role within the Office of Neighborhood Services, Santana will build on the Office’s work to provide essential services to constituents and work towards deepening the City’s relationship with local businesses, organizations, and residents. She currently resides in Brighton and is pursuing her Master’s in Public Relations at Boston University.  “I am excited to contribute my knowledge and expertise to make the Office of Neighborhood Services stronger than it has ever been,” said Office of Neighborhood Services Deputy Director Lindsey Santana. “As the deputy director, I will empower liaisons to continue to be motivated leaders that deliver excellent constituent services for our neighborhoods.”

Lydia Polaski Lydia Polaski is a proud resident of South Boston. She earned her Master’s degree in Communication Management from the University of Southern California. Her professional background is in the nonprofit sector in Boston with a focus on communication strategy and community events. Polaski is the founder of Friends and Neighbors, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community through events and opportunities that create new bonds and offer resources to those in need. “Lydia’s ties to South Boston and passion for its community makes her a great fit for the role of neighborhood liaison,” said Community Engagement Cabinet Chief Brianna Millor. “Neighborhood Services is thrilled to welcome her to our team to represent South Boston to support residents, local businesses and civic organizations.” Polaski served on the Andrew Square Civic Association leadership team, where she liaised with the MBTA to advance improvements at Andrew Station and increased confidence in public transportation within the South Boston community. She also served on the board of the South Boston MOMS Club and Paraclete Center.  “What an honor to serve a neighborhood that is dear to my heart,” said South Boston Liaison Lydia Polaski. “I look forward to focusing on neighborhood livability and can’t wait for all the opportunities to celebrate our great community together.”  ABOUT THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES The Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) encourages, facilitates and maximizes citizen input and participation through service requests, neighborhood meetings, mailings, and emergency responses. To report non-emergency issues to the City, residents are encouraged to connect with BOS:311 by dialing 3-1-1 or by downloading the free BOS:311 app on iOS or Android platforms.

摩頓市華人支持Gary Christenson連任摩頓市長

李豐(左)和Thomas Xie(右)在他倆經營的MT迷你超商中，
為競選連任的摩頓市市長何建生 (Gary Christenson)舉辦籌款會。
(周菊子攝)

               (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州摩頓市報導) 摩頓市在麻州的351個市鎮中，是個人口只有6萬5千左右的小城市，已在位12年的市長何建生 (Gary Christenson) ，今年競選連任，將在11月7日和挑戰市長席位的杜麗茜 (Lissette Aracely Alvarado) 一決勝負。

摩頓市市長何建生 (Gary Christenson，中)和Thomas Xie (右二)，
吳雲德(左二)，楊兆雄(左一) 等支持者合影。 (周菊子攝)

              何建生從2003年當選為第一區市議員，接著2011年再當選為市長，這一路以來都未離開摩頓市政壇，形象親民，還總強調摩頓市是所有居民的城市，近年不但上課學中文，口袋裡也隨時揣著至少8種不同語言的問候語，以便隨時和使用70種以上不同語言的市內居民打招呼。

              2011年當選後，2015年無人競爭，2019年以5062票擊敗當年參選市長一職，已連任4屆，拿到3482票的該市第3區市議員John Matheson。

              今年再次競選連任的何建生 (Gary Christenson) ，雖然有曾於奧巴馬總統任內，在白宮任職的杜麗茜 (Lissette Aracely Alvarado)成為競爭對手，但以他已在位12年的資歷，競選財庫還有6萬餘元現金在手，比杜麗茜的競選財庫只剩1000多元強太多，他應無懸念的可順利連任。

羅祖德(左二) 和朋友都來支持和建生市長。 (周菊子攝)

              過去這許多年來，何建生市長和摩頓市的華裔市民關係很好，無論是華林功夫學校創辦人余翠梅 (Mai Du)，和余翠梅一起創辦大摩頓市亞裔聯盟的張仲荷 (Diana Jeong)，或是華夏文化協會的洪梅，都建立了很好的關係。他和住在摩頓市的羅祖德，紐英崙中華公所英文書記阮鴻燦，也曾經十分親密。

摩頓市市長何建生 (Gary Christenson (左一)感謝所有的支持者。 (周菊子攝)

              最近這幾年，摩頓市的亞裔人口暴增至在總人口中佔27%，和昆士市的亞裔人口佔29.8%，比率幾乎不相上下，何建生市長的亞裔、華裔朋友也自然越來越多。

              在波士頓市經營有蓮花快餐店，在昆士市經營有汽車維修公司，在摩頓市和李豐合作經營MT迷你商店的Thomas Xie，25日這晚，就和李豐一起，在他們的店裏，為何建生市長舉辦了一場籌款會，拉來許多潛在選民及支持者，為何建生助陣。

摩頓市市長何建生 (Gary Christenson (左起) 和李豐輪流致詞。 (周菊子攝)

              Thomas Xie還把他在昆士市，波士頓市，摩頓市的商人朋友都找來去助陣，包括波士頓家和超市的王乾，摩頓市水管暖氣工程公司老闆吳雲德，Anda房地產估價師楊兆雄等人，都應邀出席。

支持者陸續來到MT迷你超商。 (周菊子攝)

              何建生強調，摩頓市的改善成績，絕不是他一個人造成的，全靠大家團結合作，例如李豐和Thomas Xie，接手MT迷你超商這地點之後，翻修得那麼好，以前他到Walgreen買東西，以後可要改到MT迷你超商來買了，因為這兒甚麼都有。他也提醒眾人，今年的摩頓市選票，印有候選人姓名的簡體中文音譯，方便選民辨認。

李豐是2000年從馬里蘭州搬來摩頓市的。他認為這些年來，看到何建生市長對亞裔社區的支持力度之大，又為摩頓市帶來許多新建設，甚至使得他和伙伴Thomas Xie想在摩頓市在開一家餐廳。他提醒到會民眾，投票是市民的權利，希望大家都能善用手中選票，選出能夠使摩頓市變得更好的人當市長。

摩頓市2023年的選票樣本。摩頓市今年第一次在選票上印候選人中文姓名。

在波士頓市有華裔吳弭 (Michelle Wu)當市長，昆士市有華裔梁秀婷當不分區市議員之際，亞裔人口已增長到佔全市人口27%的摩頓市，在從政這條路上，有待急起直追，即使是像劍橋市今年有來自台灣的許正翰醫師，來自中國大陸的汪浩那樣的有人參選市議員，也好。

緬因州25日晚發生大規模槍擊案 18人死亡 13人受傷 嫌犯Robert Card 行蹤不明

圖片來自推特

                     (Boston Orange 摘譯) 緬因州第2大城市Lewiston在10月25日晚發生大規模槍擊案，已知有18人死亡，13人受傷。由於警方正在積極搜捕嫌犯，40歲的Robert R. Card，緬因州政府忠告民眾就地避難，關閉地方上的學校，政府辦公室。

                     這是緬因州2023年以來，死傷規模最大的槍擊案。緬因州州長Janet Mills於26日早上在Lewiston市政府大樓，向民眾報告案件概況，說明死傷人數，派出350名警員搜索，並提醒民眾，警方認為嫌犯持械，極其危險，民眾在任何情況下都應避免與之接觸。她也強調將為受害者尋求公道。

                   Janet Mills說，緬因州政府將竭盡全力抓捕嫌犯Robert Card，並以州及聯邦政府的全部力量來追究犯這暴行的任何相關人士的責任。

                     緬因州警上校 (Colonel) William G. Ross 在簡報中表示，” 整件事發生的步調很快，移動迅速，場景模糊，非常危險。截至26日早上11點時，死亡者中有8人的身份已確認，另有10人待確認。

                   William G. Ross說，其中7人在保齡巷弄被殺，7人在酒吧內被殺，1人在店外被槍殺。不過警方並未透露任何一名受害者的姓名或年紀。

圖片來自推特

                麻州公共衛生廳表示，至少有一名在槍擊案中受傷者，被轉入麻州的醫院治療。

             麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 26日表示，麻州將緊密關注事件發展，支援緬因州，並依循美國總統的公告，麻州所有州及聯邦政府大樓都將降半旗，直至10月30日止。

             新罕布夏州州長Chris Sununu也表示支援，並密切關注鄰州的事態發展。

警方於25日晚已確認，當天下午6點56分左右，發生在緬因州第二大城市Lewiston 的Sparetime Recreation保齡球館和Schemengees酒吧的這宗槍擊案，嫌犯為Robert Card，籲請民眾，若有任何Robert Card蹤跡的線索，撥打電話，207-213-9526或207-509-9002，通知他們。

據相關調查，Robert Card是緬因州居民3000小城Bowdine的居民，曾就讀公校，得過3年級識字比賽獎，高中時名列榮譽榜，在當地陸軍儲備團服役，為地方聯隊擲過馬蹄鐵，並在鄰城Lewiston市Mollison Way的保齡球館打保齡球。

             警方說，25日，他拿著步槍，走進他曾在那參加比賽的Just-in-time保齡球館，向館內群眾開火。群眾中還包括正在做青少年聯盟練習的兒童們。接著，他在主街上開車4英里的來到Schemengees酒吧及燒烤餐廳，對著店內顧客，又發射了一輪子彈。

             當警方宣佈嫌犯姓名時，當地人已經知道是誰了。當地一家客棧的老闆Olga Dolgicer表示，當地人都熟知Robert Card精神有問題。

             美國陸軍在另一份聲明中表示，Robert Card曾是陸軍預備役的石油供應專員，2002年12月入伍，從未上戰場，獲得過兩次陸軍成就獎，陸軍預備役部份成就獎，還得過人道服務獎，國家防衛服務獎，以及陸軍服務綬帶。

             Robert Card在2002年冬入伍時，還在緬因大學研讀工程科技學位，但他沒畢業，專心發展軍人生涯，一路升為一等軍士，贏得獎章。最近他被指派進緬因州Saco的第304步兵團第三營，由紐約國家陸軍衛隊經營的一個軍事設施。           

             有關人員透漏，Robert Card的問題在今年夏天，他在陸軍儲備團受訓時就出現了。軍隊指揮官在這名一級軍士開始表現不正常後，出於安全考量，打電話通知了紐約州警，把Robert Card送到了紐約西點軍校的Keller陸軍社區醫院，做醫療評估，並在那兒待了2星期。軍方報告說，Card聽到聲音，並威脅要射擊軍事基地。其後，Robert Card仍然留在儲備團中，並回到Bowdoin生活。

             4個月後，他站到了Mollison Way保齡球館外。大肆開槍的24小時候，人們還沒找到他。

             當地的學校、商店、法院這2天都關上大門。居民也避居家中。新英格蘭地區的警察都來到了這兒搜尋。在Robert Card貸款購買，位於West路的灰色複式住宅後方，來自麻州Mclrose和Salem市鎮的警察，把路封了。來自外州的媒體，也都把攝影機對準了閃著紅藍燈光的警察們。

             根據波士頓環球報描述，Robert Card目前仍持有效的軍人身分證，讓他得以進入緬因州的軍事基地。但他最近的工作為何，並不清楚。他曾在2004和2006年持有電工助手牌照，但未更新。他的父親Rpbert B. Card Sr.則持有電工大師牌照。

             Robert Card於2022年11月開設了推特 (現已改名X)的帳號，只追蹤Ticker Carlson，川普 (Donald Trump)，以及緬因大學的一名極端主義和恐怖主義研究員，但已經被停止了。撥士頓環球包只查到一則關於他的電郵的谷歌評論，一則對於汽車維修品質不佳的負面評論。他的帳號名稱則讓人看到他對軍事槍法的觀點。

             那綽號? “一槍鮑伯”。

Healey下令麻州降半旗5日 向緬因州大規模槍擊案受害者致意

(Boston Orange 編譯) 依循美國總統向25日晚，緬因州Lewiston大規模槍擊案受害者致意的公告，麻州州長奚莉 (Maura T. Healey) 於10月26日下午2點發出通知，下令從10 月26 日(週四)起 至30 日 (週一)，所有州政府大樓的美國國旗及州旗降半旗，以示悼念。 

奚莉州長表示，「我們在麻州降旗，向受害者、他們的家人以及所有受到緬因州大規模槍擊事件影響的人表示深切的悲傷和同情。 這也表達我們對那些趕赴現場，治療受害者的勇敢地執法人員和醫療專業人員的大力支持和感謝」。 

奚莉州長表示，昨晚她向緬因州州長Janet Mills表達了支持意願，麻州州警也已和緬因州的對口單位接洽，緊密觀察情況，隨時準備因應。麻州醫院也在治療轉運到麻州的病人。她說，新英格蘭是個緊密交織的社區，將在這令人心碎時刻團結支持鄰居。 

麻州政府促請民眾保持警覺，看到可疑行動就撥打911電話。任何人有精神健康上的困擾，可撥打電話或發簡訊到麻州行為健康熱線833-773-2445。或上網到masshelpline.com，找人傾談。任何人感受到情緒困擾或有自殺念投，需要找人傾訴的，都可以免費撥打988電話，獲取保密的情緒支援。 

敦促公眾保持警惕並撥打 911 報告可疑活動。 任何患有心理健康問題的人都可以撥打馬薩諸塞州行為健康幫助熱線 833-773-2445 或發短信，或在 Masshelpline.com 上在線聊天以進行實時臨床評估。 任何正在經歷情緒困擾或自殺念頭並需要有人傾訴的人都可以撥打 988 獲取免費、保密的情感支持。 

Governor Healey Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Honor of Maine Shooting Victims 

 

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey ordered the United States of America and Commonwealth of Massachusetts flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state buildings beginning immediately on Thursday, October 26 through Monday, October 30 in accordance with the presidential proclamation to honor the victims of last night’s mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. 

 

“We are lowering the flags in Massachusetts to express our deep sadness and sympathy for the victims, their families, and all those impacted by the mass shooting in Maine. It is also an expression of our strong support and gratitude for the brave members of law enforcement and medical professionals who are responding to this tragedy and treating victims,” said Governor Healey. “I spoke with Governor Janet Mills last night to offer our support. The Massachusetts State Police are in contact with their counterparts in Maine, monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to respond as needed. Our hospitals are treating patients transferred to Massachusetts. New England is a close-knit community, and we are coming together to support our neighbors during this heartbreaking time.” 

 

Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and call 911 to report suspicious activity. Anyone struggling with their mental health can call or text the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line at 833-773-2445 or chat online at masshelpline.com for real-time clinical assessment. Anyone who is experiencing emotional distress or thoughts of suicide and needs someone to talk to can call 988 for free, confidential emotional support. 

波士頓華埠豎起英雄牌向二戰大兵譚阿勇致敬

波士頓退伍軍人服務局局長Robert Santiago (左起) 做了三塊譚阿勇 (Wing O. Hom) 
 英雄牌，和波士頓市議會議長Ed Flynn ，陳紹章將軍一起，
送給譚阿勇的姪子譚振強(Ken Hom。 (周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 在多名僑團首長出席與盛的隆重中，波士頓華埠在2023年10月25日新添一塊華裔英雄牌，紀念第二次世界大戰大兵譚阿勇 (Wing Hom) ，誌記華裔也曾為美國捐軀的史實。

波士頓市退伍軍人服務局局長Robert Santiago，波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)，美國第一位華裔少將陳紹章，美國退伍軍人會波士頓華埠328分會會長司徒文信 (Matt Seto)，以及譚阿勇的姪子譚振強 (Ken Hom) 在安置儀式中，一一致詞。

美國退伍軍人會波士頓華埠328分會會長司徒文信 (Matt Seto，右起)，鄧健民，
伍振中、陳志航、余國華、司徒焯榮，黃國麟，Gienie Boland，James Moy。
(周菊子攝)

                       陳紹章將軍指出，儘管譚阿勇當年並沒有得到美國公民身分，對美國的忠誠與愛國心卻一點不落人後。美國國會從2018年12月執行「國家金質獎章」法，表揚2萬多名曾經參加第二次世界大戰的退伍軍人，譚阿勇也得到了這美國頒給平民的最高榮譽。

波士頓華埠僑團首長，有許多人出席了豎牌儀式。 (周菊子攝)

                    他表示自己很榮幸來參加這安排儀式，尤其是譚阿勇和他家族前輩的3點類同之處，包括2人都是來自廣東開平的移民，都因為排華法案，不是公民，沒投票權，也不得擁有物業，然後2人都是第二次世界大戰的軍人。他說，是因為這些前輩的貢獻，華裔後代才得以安居樂業，追尋美國夢。

司徒文信表示，他去紐約參加譚阿勇的葬禮時，出席人數令人動容，包括西雅圖退伍軍人會，當地僑團首長，都來向這位二戰英雄致敬。在波士頓這兒，他也很感謝社區僑團的出席支持，因為這就是社區之所以為社區，大家關懷、認可，表揚華埠社區內對社會有貢獻的自己人，這也是大家都應該鼓掌讚揚的事。

儀式現場有多名軍人出席。 (周菊子攝)

                   司徒文信指出，正如波士頓市退伍軍人服務局局長Robert Santiago所描述的，波士頓市現在有譚阿勇 (Wing O. Hom) ，黃傳禎 (George Oi) ，James Wong等3個英雄廣場牌，而在那2萬多名華裔二戰老兵中，約40%因為排華法案，甚至都不是美國公民，卻也上了戰場，為美國奮勇作戰，許多人也就此命殞海外，身後故事，待人傳述。

波士頓華埠退伍軍人會會長司徒文信強調，這些英雄故事必須傳頌。
(周菊子攝)

                       根據美國退伍軍人事務部，第二次世界大戰時，有1610萬美國人參戰，2023年還活著的，僅約12萬人。那時從美國境內參戰的華裔，約2萬人，等於當年美國華裔人口的四分之一。

Robert Santiago回應本刊提問時表示，波士頓市共有大約1300個英雄廣場，當年從波士頓出發參加第二次世界大戰的華裔，約有300人，只有3個華裔英雄廣場牌，是因為這英雄廣場牌一般由退伍軍人家屬主動提出要求，市政府才會辦理相應手續。

10月25日這天，紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，洪門致公堂全美總理余麗媖，昭倫公所歷任主席許揚威、謝如鍵、譚達兒，紐英崙至孝篤親公所主席陳文珊，三益公所何遠光，波士頓同源會會長李衛新，紐英崙至德三德公所主席曹品慈，元老黃周麗桃，翁宇才，曾任中華公所主席的黃兆祥，曾任亞裔文化資源中心主任的劉仲岳，以及美國退伍軍人會波士頓328分會的多名會員都出席了這場簡單隆重的儀式。

當天有出席儀式者表示，身為華裔後代的波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu)，這天傍晚在波士頓華埠內舉辦籌款會，卻未撥冗來一下向華裔二戰老兵的英雄廣場豎牌儀式，讓人感到非常遺憾。

(下文發表於10月17日；https://www.bostonorange.com/2023/10/1025.html

波士頓華埠牌樓英雄廣場10/25 添新名譚阿勇

吳弭市長下令 11月1日起禁止"美沙酮英里"架帳篷

Photo from the City of Boston               (Boston Orange 編譯) 波士頓市議會上週三通過議案後，波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 10月26日下令，11月1日起，禁止在” 美沙酮英里” (Mass and Cass) 一帶架帳篷或臨時遮蓋，警察將在該地設立指揮中心，加強巡邏，以確保當地人民、商家及服務供應者的安全。               波士頓市政府已發出書面通知給那些住在”美沙酮英里”的遊民們，勒令他們必須在11月1日前撤離該地。凡是已獲政府提供住處，交通及個人物品存放地點者，市政府將拆除他們的臨時居所。               波士頓市政府在新聞稿中表示，目前約有133名各別人士住在那個地方，其中72人手中已有房源，或是正在尋找一個住宅單位。市府為執行這行動，已保留100個庇護所床位，並於10月30日在波士頓公共衛生局為於麻州大道727號所在，開放30個過渡型床位。               吳弭市長和波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox， 波士頓房屋長Sheila Dillon等人在26日這天聯袂面對記者，表示將以協做努力，善解人意的方式，來永久解決人們稱之為”美沙酮英里”這一地段長久以來的人道危機。 Photo from the city of Boston               吳弭表示，尤其是冬天要來了，住在街上的這些遊民，既無自來水，也沒暖氣，還有傳染疾病的危險，成為非法販毒、吸毒的犯罪溫床，波士頓市政府不能容忍這樣的情況繼續下去。               Atkinson 街上帳篷林立，非法事件頻傳，包括遊民濫用、買賣芬太尼等非法藥物，發生一連串暴力攻擊案件，多宗刺傷案，還有一人被棒球棍毆打。               吳弭市長去年就曾採取行動，要清理”美沙酮英里”，但沒過多久，該地區就故態復萌，而且更形嚴重，只是因為波士頓市政府把主幹道的人行道以欄柵圍了起來，遊民全都擠進側巷，甚至堂然皇之，佔據了側巷Atkinson街的來往車道。               吳弭市長因此在今年8月時，向市議會提出前述解決方案。10月25日，波士頓市議會以9票對3票，1人棄權的投票結果，通過了附加取消若違反禁令，罰款25元等細節的修改法案。投反對票的是2名激進派，已在本年度選舉的初選中落選的市議員Ricardo Arroyo，Kendra Lara，以及已宣佈放棄參選連任的保守派市議員Frank Baker。波士頓市不分區市議員Julia Meija投出” 在場 (present)”票。               包括波士頓市議會議長愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)，不分區市議員Ruthzee Louijeune，都認為吳弭市長所提方案，並不能徹底解決問題，執行得有些太匆促，但也都覺得目前沒有更好的辦法。               波士頓環球報在報導中指出，一名正在復原中的吸毒者表示，許多每天光顧”美沙酮英里”的人，其實住在附近，他們踏進”美沙酮英里”只因為在那兒很容易取得非法毒品。一旦那些人流離失所了，他們不是回到”美沙酮英里”這兒，就是另外找個地方吸毒而已。 MAYOR MICHELLE WU PROVIDES UPDATE ON CITY RESPONSE TO CRISES CENTERED AT MASS & CASS

BOSTON - Thursday, October 26, 2023 - Mayor Michelle Wu today provided an update on the City’s public health-led response to the intersecting crises of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and unsheltered homelessness centered in the area of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Massachusetts Avenue (Mass and Cass). Mayor Wu recently announced a phase change to double down on this approach and ensure the safety and health of those living in the area, service providers, and local business owners and workers. “Over the last two years, Boston has built an infrastructure for coordinated services to address the overlapping crises of homelessness, substance use, and mental health that has supported hundreds of individuals in need and highlighted the effectiveness of a public health and housing-led approach,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we head into colder weather, our teams are taking action to ramp up outreach for shelter, treatment, and services citywide to ensure the health and safety of all community members.”  Over the past few months, outreach teams and provider partners have continued to develop their relationships with people chronically living in the area to help identify the shelter or treatment option that best meets each individual’s needs. Beginning today, the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) will post notices to notify individuals in the area of Mass and Cass that the prohibition on tents, tarps, and other temporary structures approved by the Boston City Council yesterday will begin on November 1, 2023. Based on individual needs and case management conversations, individuals will be provided transportation to low threshold sites, general shelter, a treatment program, or will be reunified with their family. Storage will be provided for their personal belongings and City staff will maintain a real-time inventory of available safe sleeping space. “The health, safety, and wellbeing of every resident, no matter their housing status, is the steadfast focus of the City's coordinated teams,” said Director of the Coordinated Response Team Tania Del Rio. “As we support people transitioning from the Atkinson St. encampment into safer and more supportive environments, we will continue to make sure unsheltered persons citywide receive offers of lifesaving services, while ensuring public spaces remain safe and available for all.” Some medical services to support unsheltered residents will be temporarily relocated. The Boston Public Health Commission, in partnership with Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), will open a temporary site at 774 Albany Street for clinical services so that individuals have uninterrupted access to care during the transition. Security will be stationed inside and outside the temporary site on a 24/7 basis.  “This ordinance ensures that the Boston Public Health Commission and our partners can continue doing the critically important work of connecting people suffering from substance use disorder to treatment; delivering dignified, compassionate care; offering life-saving harm reduction services; providing emergency shelter; and placing people who have been living on the street into safe spaces where they can recover,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. Mayor Wu and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) also provided an update on the additional shelter beds and temporary overnight space that BPHC has worked to prepare over the last few months in partnership with provider partners. To increase the availability of low-threshold housing for chronically unsheltered individuals who currently live in the Atkinson Street encampment, the City will open 30 temporary transitional beds at the Boston Public Health Commission’s campus at 727 Massachusetts Avenue. These beds will be reserved for specifically identified individuals who are currently engaged in services with BPHC’s case management teams. These beds will only be available until the individuals move onto permanent housing or an open low threshold spot at one of the other housing sites and are not intended to be populated with new individuals. Additional shelter capacity has been established at various locations across the City.  “The City of Boston is working with many non-profit partners to make sure that the individuals living on the street have access to shelter and, as importantly, services,” said Chief of Housing Sheila Dillon. “To respond to the growing need for shelter, additional space has been brought on line for both this effort and the colder months. Getting individuals off the street and into shelters will enable our partners to better help individuals pursue pathways out of  homelessness and into the treatment and permanent housing that everyone deserves.”   The Boston Police Department (BPD) will have a sustained presence on Atkinson Street and the surrounding area. Mobile Citywide units will coordinate through a central operations post to address criminal activity in the area and return Atkinson Street to standard use as a road for vehicular traffic, while addressing any other areas of concern citywide. During this time, the City will be restricting access to Atkinson Street. The Engagement Center located there will be temporarily closed and services previously provided there will be available in other locations.  The Boston Police Department and the  Boston Public Health Commission will lead a coordinated response that will include mobile units of police and recovery services staff to restore  Atkinson Street and Southampton Street to regular use and ensure compliance with all laws in surrounding areas. The Boston Police Department will coordinate these efforts at a central operations post and will have a presence in the area at all times.  “I want to thank Mayor Wu and the City Council for their support of this Ordinance, which gives our officers clear authority and the necessary tools to address unlawful campsites throughout the City,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox. “We have seen the role tents and tarps play in the rise in criminal activity and the authority to order removal of these structures when shelter and storage are available will go a long way towards helping us fulfill our responsibility to keep the public safe.”  Residents are encouraged to report encampments they see to 311. These requests will be directed to the Coordinated Response Team, which will activate a co-response between outreach workers and BPD to connect the individual in the encampment to the appropriate services. Criminal activity should be reported by calling 911. These measures will build on the City’s successes in helping individuals move from chronic unsheltered homelessness into supportive housing and recovery by improving public safety, reducing crowding, violence, and drug trafficking in the area, and creating better conditions for case management and outreach workers to assist individuals in need. Since January 2022, more than 500 individuals who were living at the Atkinson Street encampment have gone through the City’s six low-threshold housing sites and 172 have moved into permanent supportive housing. There are currently 133 individuals living in the sites, 72 of which have a housing resource in hand and are looking for a housing unit.  Mayor Michelle Wu recently announced that the City is seeking a project management firm to oversee reconstruction of the Long Island Bridge. This firm will ensure work can start immediately after City secures final approvals. Mayor Wu has also recently announced that the City has secured its Chapter 91 License from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to reconstruct the Long Island Bridge. With this long-awaited license in hand, the City has secured the most significant state approval required in its years-long efforts to rebuild the bridge and restore access to the 35-acre public health campus on Long Island. With $81 million already available in the FY24 capital budget for the bridge, Mayor Wu announced that the City would accelerate progress on construction immediately and set a goal that in four years the bridge would be rebuilt to a campus with a first phase of buildings ready to reopen for programming.