Boston Leaders Expand Efforts to Address Issues at Mass. and Cass

New plan includes increased policing, specialty court, and more treatment services in the area.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Community leaders in Boston's South End have announced an expanded initiative aimed at improving recovery services and public safety around the Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard intersection, known as Mass and Cass. The plan includes expanding the city's Neighborhood Engagement and Safety Team policing efforts, creating a specialty court to connect more people to treatment, and increasing access to support services.

Why it matters

The Mass and Cass area has long been a focal point for the city's efforts to address substance use, homelessness, and public safety concerns. This expanded initiative is the latest attempt to address the ongoing issues in the neighborhood, which have impacted the quality of life for South End residents.

The details

The new plan includes expanding Boston's Neighborhood Engagement and Safety Team policing efforts and its Coordinated Response Team. Officials also plan to create a specialty court designed to tailor responses to individual cases, with the goal of connecting more people to treatment and support services. City officials estimate that about 480 people have entered treatment since September 15 as part of ongoing efforts.

  • The expanded initiative was announced on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • Since September 15, about 480 people have entered treatment as part of ongoing efforts.

The players

Boston City Council

The Boston City Council is involved in the expanded efforts to address issues at Mass and Cass.

Xavier Benavides

A resident who recently moved from the South End neighborhood to Quincy due to concerns about open drug use and public safety near the Mass and Cass intersection.

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What they’re saying

“We will see, hopefully, more response, more people getting on the path to recovery, and less impact on the quality of life of South End residents.”

— John Fitzgerald, Boston City Council (cbsnews.com)

“Mainly open drug use has been concerning. We've walked around several needles and we walk with our dog. I have to carry a flashlight because, I kid you not, every week I count like 15 to 20 needles on the sidewalks.”

— Xavier Benavides (cbsnews.com)

“I've seen people using needles on themselves and doing handheld drug deals.”

— Xavier Benavides (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Officials say they believe the expanded initiatives will continue chipping away at the problem in the Mass and Cass area.

The takeaway

The ongoing issues at the Mass and Cass intersection, including substance use, homelessness, and public safety concerns, have long been a challenge for the city of Boston. This expanded initiative represents the latest effort to address these complex problems and improve the quality of life for residents in the South End neighborhood.