In front of a landmark tourist attraction, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn began a walk-through at the Chinatown Gate Friday, July 31. Flynn represents District 2, which includes Chinatown. The councilman conducted a walk-through in the neighborhood, while listening to and answering questions from residents and local advocates. Along with him were police officers in charge of the area, and other representatives from the business community, and local civic organizations.
The gathering was in response to residents’ recent complaints about public safety, public health, and sanitation in Chinatown. Flynn invited Captain Robert Ciccolo, who was assigned to the district this July, intending to let residents and the new captain learn more about each other and discuss neighborhood concerns together.
“We want to make sure that Chinatown, the leather district, and the surrounding downtown neighborhood are safe for everybody, but especially safe for our seniors, for persons with disabilities, for parents that are taking the kids to school,” Flynn said as he addressed the groups. “This is about the neighborhood. This is about the families.”
Flynn gave special thanks to police officers that were assigned to the area and expressed his appreciation of the work they had done for the neighborhood. “What the residents expressed to me is that they want to continue seeing police presence in the neighborhood. And I know that’s what the captain is committed to doing,” he said.
A question and answer session was conducted prior to the walk-through with attendees in front of the Chinatown Gate. Residents asked questions directly to the councilor and police officers as Melissa Lo, the councilor’s assistant, worked as a Cantonese and English translator.
Members of the audience expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of police presence and delayed 911 response in the neighborhood. With the long-standing drug dealing and mugging issues in and around areas, one audience member recommended having a consistent patrolman walking on the streets.
Ciccolo explained the reason for their delayed response. With limited resources on hands, they need to prioritize how they respond, he said. “Our primary goal is always public safety. It’s not just making people safe, but making people feel safe,” Ciccolo said. “So, first comes dangerous to life, and potentially dangerous to life, and then we move on to responding to public disorder issues and quality of life issues. It never means we don’t think the quality of life issues are important. We always do.”
One resident asked whether more police stations could be added. Ciccolo said that’s a budget issue beyond his scope of authority. “A police station is empty most of the time because the officers are out in the neighborhoods, answering calls,” Ciccolo explained. “I’d love to have more police stations, but I’d rather have those cops out in cars coming to help you rather than sitting in a building.”
Ciccolo stressed the difference between the 911 and the 311 issue. When you want to reflect a long-term issue where you don’t need the police right now, that is the 311 issue. “I read the 311 for my district every morning. I’m reading it personally,” he said.
Mike Stratton, Deputy Superintendent from Boston Police Department, addressed the collaboration between local organizations to service residents, including Boston Inspectional Services, the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services, Pine Street Inn, St. Francis House, Boston Public Health Commission, whose representatives were present at the walk-through.
“We’re all working together daily to address these issues, a lot of the issues that are affecting the community down here,” Stratton said. “When they come to 311, they go right to my unit and all of our partners, so we can figure out very quickly who’s going to address the concern.”
“I would ask when you put something into 311 over the computer, if you will also copy me on the email, and I could also follow up with the mayor’s office,” Flynn added.
Another problem brought up by attendees is trash on the streets and illegal dumping of trash, a problem that has gotten worse during the pandemic, damaging the environment and image of Chinatown.
“I will talk to Inspectional Services. I’m sure the councilor will as well,” said Ciccolo. “We’ll see if we can put something together to deal with it together. It’s more of a civil fine issue than it is a criminal arrest issue.”
“I’m going to file a city council resolution, call for an investigation into illegal dumping in Chinatown,” Flynn told Sampan after the walk-through. “And I’m going to advocate for harsher and stricter penalties for anyone caught illegally dumping.”
