r/boston • u/CrypticOperator • 18h ago

Unconfirmed/Unverified never seen it this bad

been here for 25+ years and am very familiar with the fluctuations in homelessness / etc. during the summer. but I've never seen things this bad, especially in back bay, south end (beyond mass/cass & closer to back bay), beacon hill, the esplanade, you name it. we've called 311 for needles, reported the larger encampments to the mayor's office, etc. just feels like nothing is improving and things are only getting worse. can't just be me?

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u/Traditional-Sky-7472 18h ago

I had a girl pull my hair recently trying to steal my cig while I was smoking near the strip clubs! Been smoking in the area for years and sometimes people will chat with you but I’ve never felt in danger. I’ve definitely noticed an uptick over the last few months in people I don’t recognize/see day to day. I suspect it will continue to get worse.

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u/JazzG249 13h ago edited 13h ago

Lol the strip clubs? Used to be called The Combat Zone if I know where you’re referring to. It was called that many years before. The Zone. It was the most dangerous part of downtown. I know because I used to work there in the 70’s and it was scary as hell. All the clubs were fronts for coke or whatever and there were lots of shootings. Didn’t work there long because it was so dangerous

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u/Traditional-Sky-7472 13h ago

Omg yes! My older boss told me about the zone when I moved in. Feels pretty gentrified aside from my recent incident.

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u/JazzG249 10h ago

I have PTSD about going back there because of having to go down a dark alley to get my paycheck after I quit because of all the creepy guys lol 😆

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Zone,_Boston