BOSTON — Boston’s open-air drug crisis just turned violent — and this time, the victims were journalists.

According to The Boston Guardian, two Boston Globe staffers and two South End residents were attacked last week while documenting open-air drug use near Mass and Cass. The group was confronted by addicts and alleged dealers who became aggressive when photos were taken — swinging a weapon, issuing threats, and eventually sparking a physical altercation.

The attack happened near Rosie’s Place on Harrison Avenue — just minutes after the city had performed yet another “clean-up sweep” to make the area look safer than it really is. Within minutes of the reporters arriving, the scene turned volatile.

One man approached the group with a metal weapon known as a “cat’s paw” and began threatening them. As the Globe staff continued taking photos, more individuals surrounded the group — some of whom the residents identified as dealers who bike from encampment to encampment. One attacker reportedly tried to seize the camera and demanded they delete the photos.

Fearing for their safety, the group attempted to leave — but were followed. One alleged dealer confronted a resident and threatened to "ruin [his] life" before reaching into his pocket. Thinking the man was going for a weapon, the resident used self-defense training to subdue him long enough for the group to escape.

The attackers pursued them until the group reached the Boston Water and Sewer Commission building and banged on the glass for help. Once inside, police were called. As of Sunday, neither the residents nor the reporters had received follow-up from Mayor Wu’s office or a copy of the police report.

While Wu continues to claim the city is improving through shelter construction and voluntary treatment, violence and disorder continue to escalate. Children step over needles to reach playgrounds. Addicts slump across school steps. Fentanyl pipes litter bus stops. And now, even credentialed reporters are being physically attacked while trying to document it.

Wu has spent years defending the chaos, framing it as a housing crisis and smearing critics as callous. She insists her “compassion-first” approach is working. But while City Hall spins, Bostonians run for cover.

No arrests have been announced. No accountability has been offered.

The Bottom Line

Mass and Cass is spreading. The violence is rising. And now the drug crisis is attacking the press.
This is the city Michelle Wu refuses to fix.