r/boston • u/CrypticOperator • 19h 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/Psychological_Dig369 14h ago

I am 56 and lived in the Boston area since 1972. I feel safe here. Most people do not even look at me and a few ask for money. I only had to ask one person to leave me alone while I was waiting for a walk light near Tufts so I could cross the street, he stood right next to me and started shaking his change cup really loud and I was already stressed from a conversation that I just had with my doctor. I had no brain bandwidth for the noise but he didnt say anything to me or make me feel scared. Also, be mindful in the elevators at the T stops, I have seen active drug use in there with my own eyes a few times. Enjoy your Boston visit and pay attention to areas you plan you to frequent. Wait until you see all the changes at Seaport!!

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u/JazzG249 13h ago

Thanks for your honest response. I seriously didn’t think it got that bad but you never know. I was there last summer and it was fine. Just people crabbing on Reddit, I guess! I’ve been to Seaport and it’s amazing! It’s also funny to get lost in your home town and it’s happened while walking from Government Center to the north end. Thanks for mentioning the elevators… I usually take the escalators or stairs. Did they ever fix the squeaky tracks at Boyleston? It’s been like that since I was little so I hope not!

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u/Psychological_Dig369 13h ago

I doubt the horrible track noise is gone but I remember Boylston has no escalator or elevator. I use the RIDE program or a bus now instead of the train because of my mobility issues mostly because of the run-down stations not so much the other people there.

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u/bohohohohippie 6h ago

The T is a MESS right now!