South Boston housing complex under intense scrutiny

The Mary Ellen McCormack housing complex where four kids were removed by the state following an apparent overdose in a squalid unit is now under intense scrutiny.

Efforts are being made to quickly clean up the South Boston project ahead of a walk-through Monday by Mayor Michelle Wu and other officials.

The discovery of the children near drugs triggered a 51A child neglect alert and dueling fire and police reports and push-back from Wu — but all eyes remain on the rundown housing project.

“Nothing really gets done,” a resident of the complex told the Herald Sunday night. “We deserve to live in a clean and safe environment.”

Allegations include failure to respond to serious complaints and tenants who sublet to others who don’t follow the rules. The Herald is delving deeper into other alleged infractions.

City Council President Ed Flynn said that maintenance crews trying to clean up the project should be thanked, but that’s just a start.

“Our priority and loyalty must always be to residents living in public housing,” he added, “and supporting them with a clean, healthy and safe living environment.”

Residents gave some city officials a tour of the back of the complex last week which was strewn with trash, discarded needles and even what appeared to be a food stamp card.

It was all revved up by a June 17 call for someone in cardiac arrest in the complex.

Sam Dillon, president of Boston Firefighters Local 718, has defended the firefighters who responded to an incident involving a dead man found in an apartment. The Herald is seeking more official reports on the call, but those firefighters are being praised by many for thinking of the kids first.

“Local 718 stands squarely behind the actions taken by our firefighters,” Dillon told the Herald on Friday.

The victim was described in the police report as a 28-year-old “male to female transgender” person. Others were dressed in a wig or as women, but all the alarm was from the kids and suspected drug activity.

At-Large City Councilor Erin Murphy said Sunday night her focus is also on the kids and the safety of the residents of the public housing village.

“I want to make sure the city is being held accountable,” she added in a text to the Herald. “Our most vulnerable residents rely on us to protect them, so I want to make sure we are doing right by them.”

She has called for a council public safety hearing on the matter this week.

If you have a tip on conditions at the Mary Ellen McCormack housing complex — or any city-run unit — email us at newstips@bostonherald.com and we will investigate. 

Tash piles up at the Mary Ellen McCormack housing complex last week. (Contributed photo)