Petition to Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston

We, the undersigned residents, workers, and families of Boston, call on Mayor Michelle Wu and the city’s leadership to take urgent action to address the ongoing dangers stemming from the Methadone Mile area.

For nearly two decades, Boston has concentrated addiction services in one neighborhood without providing the comprehensive support, supervision, or safety measures needed to protect both those struggling with addiction and the broader community. As a result, ordinary residents face daily risks simply by living, working, or shopping in the area.

Recently, a Boston resident, a single mother and proud union ironworker, was viciously attacked in broad daylight at the South Bay Shopping Center in Dorchester by an individual suffering from substance use disorder. She was stabbed in the leg and narrowly escaped more serious harm. This terrifying event, classified as attempted murder, is just one example of how the lack of oversight around Methadone Mile is endangering lives.

At the same time, Boston continues to spend millions of tax dollars on half-finished or low-priority projects such as unnecessary speed bumps, poorly done roadwork that falls apart within months, and additional bike lanes in areas where they aren’t needed. Instead of misdirecting these resources, we call on the city to reinvest those funds into public safety, addiction recovery, and community support that will actually save lives and strengthen neighborhoods.

We demand that the City of Boston:

Enhance security and public safety measures in the South Bay and surrounding neighborhoods affected by Methadone Mile.
Expand recovery services throughout the city, rather than concentrating them in a single area.
Provide immediate support to victims of violent incidents related to this crisis.
Reallocate tax dollars from unnecessary roadwork and bike lane expansions toward addiction services, housing, and neighborhood safety initiatives.
Commit to long-term, community-based solutions that protect both vulnerable individuals and Boston residents.
Boston is a city we are proud to live and work in. However, for Boston to remain safe, welcoming, and strong, we need leadership that addresses this issue with urgency, compassion, and a clearer understanding of how our tax money is spent.

We, the undersigned, urge Mayor Wu and the Boston City Council to take immediate action to protect residents, workers, and families from further harm.